Russian Optimism

(noun) The act of finding the (barely) upside in a terrible situation. Usually used in a oxymoron type of way.

"Did you know that Detroit has twice the murder rate of Iraq?" asked Ben. "Here's the bright side, this means that Iraq, is halfway to democracy. This also means that if you live in Detroit, join the U.S. Army and get deployed to Iraq, your chances for survival just doubled. That's Russian Optimism."

by beeenjammin December 30, 2014

Blind optimism

Thinking everyone you like will also be someone you can trust would be blind optimism, and at some point reality shows somebody that not everybody you like will be someone you also trust.

The charming guy/girl was hard not to like, but after years of being around this guy/girl, the blind optimism that started the relationship (friendship) ended up getting a bit more realistic when one party knew they'd never fully trust the other, attempt after attempt at trusting the other party had shown them that. When life was not a party, the people they liked the most were seldom the ones they could continue to trust.

by Solid Mantis April 12, 2020

reckless optimism

Irresponsible or Careless hope about the future.

Optimism is not grounded in a belief that you’ll achieve a desired outcome or follow a desired course. Rather, it rests on a determination to re-evaluate the situation on a moment-to-moment basis, to acknowledge and explore the possibilities inherent in the results you never expected.

Hannah Hart : "Practice reckless optimism"
"I think I have been recklessly optimistic most of my life!"

by Snehalw November 11, 2015

Malignant Optimism

The powers of self-delusion that abusers provoke in their victims. Malignant optimists refuse to believe that some questions are unsolvable, some diseases incurable, some disasters inevitable. They see a sign of hope in every fluctuation. They read meaning and patterns into every random occurrence, utterance, or slip. They are deceived by their own pressing need to believe in the ultimate victory of good over evil, health over sickness, order over disorder.

- My sister says that love and compassion are the solutions to her husband's battering and abuse. She won't leave him or even call the police!

- Malignant optimism for sure!

by zadanliran October 15, 2011

Toxic Optimism

A rare condition found only in middle-class, white Americans. that blinds them to reality; can easily spread to other ethnic groups, socio-economic statuses, and in some cases even domestic animals.

The woman's toxic optimism blinded her to the fact that the young cop was scared and had an itchy trigger finger.

by Zeno11 April 1, 2019

Reverse Optimism

The act of being optimistic about negative ideas, actions, or facts.

The glass is half empty... But that's okay because its a glass full of feces

Mike: We haven't been backed up on orders for a while now.
Jeremy: Yah we don't have alot of "good problems" right now
Chris: Fantastic, Fewer problems!!!!
Mike: Hey douche, reverse optimism isn't going to help us right now.

by mdwong August 19, 2009

immuno-optimism

Positive thinking regarding one's immune system especially when one's faced with probable or widespread contagion.

Leo: Are you sure you want to come over for dinner? My sister has chicken pox, my dad has the flu, and I'm still getting over the clap.
Kay: Sure, I'm not worried, I never get sick.
Leo: Wow babe, that's some serious immuno-optimism.

by schulwitz April 10, 2012