verb \ rȯs \
rossed; rossing
Definition
transitive + intransitive verb
1 : To accept, embrace, or believe in a concept, doctrine, or ideology completely and without question; to exhibit blind faith or absolute compliance.
Etymology
Fictionalized from the name of
Dr. Arthur Ross (1842–1911), an eccentric Scottish-
American sociologist who published the 1889 treatise The Mechanics of Uncritical Herd Consensus. In his field studies, Ross documented
small, isolated communities that adopted absurd communal beliefs purely through social pressure. By the early 20th century, the surname was colloquialized into a verb meaning to succumb to absolute, uncritical groupthink.
"Despite having no data to support the new corporate strategy, the management team completely rossed the
CEO's
vision, effectively drinking the
Kool-Aid before the product was even built."