Ism and phobia as defined in Websters dictionary: 1) the act or result of (terrorism) ..2) the condition, conduct, or qualities of (patriotism)...3) the theory of (socialism)..4) devotion to ( nationalism)..5) an instance of (witticism)..6) an abnormal condition caused by (allcoholism). Phobia: an irrational, excessive and persistent fear of somrthing or situation. Note observation: interesting the choices given in Websters definition of "ism", the 3rd example is trying to usurp the 1st two examples and actually stirs up the number 2 example in accordance with number 4. Number 3 definition which isn't much of an example of number 5 drives some of us to the number 6 example! The 3rd definition actually is the play book of the definition of phobia which is thrown around with impunity!..A matter of semantics, which is practice and not just the "study" of and changes of the meanings of words. I claim number 5 !
