You Sir/Madam, have MOXY! Well...... Do you or not? (No it isn't an STD!) lol
By James72
@James72 (26790)
Australia
January 8, 2009 3:01pm CST
Have you ever heard this term before? It doesn't seem to exist in many mainstream dictionaries anymore but it was a word used that has the following definition:
MOXY - "Self possessed confidence. An attitude of fearlessness in everyday circumstances. The capacity to stand alone in favor of an unpopular opinion or course of action with a casual demeanor. The word fell out of usage as the character traits it represented both became less common and came to be viewed as unfavorable in others."
I kinda like the way this word sounds and use it quite a bit myself, but I always have people asking me what the heck it means! So if you didn't know before, then you do now!
So do you have MOXY or don't you? Is it maybe an appropriate word to describe a form of positive arrogance? Can arrogance actually BE positive? 
6 people like this
10 responses
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
8 Jan 09
If i feel i'm right about something and will stand by my word and someone calls me an arrogant *butterfly* then yes I've got Moxy!!!
2 people like this
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
12 Jan 09
I do have Moxy! That's what I would like to believe in.
1 person likes this
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
12 Jan 09
Okay, in that case I would like reframe my response. I do have situational and periodic MOXY, as and when I require to have myself purrrrrrrred.. 
1 person likes this
@alokn99 (5717)
• India
9 Jan 09
Frankly this is the first time i am hearing this word James.
But from the way you have explained it i would think that you can display a positive arrogance or atleast that is what it may seem to some. Not everbody though may see it as arrogance and some may see it as overconfidence.
In real terms of course arrogance is taken as a negative attitude so it does sound conflicting...
1 person likes this
Really..Me poor humble soul....
Time for introspection i think..@James72 (26790)
• Australia
9 Jan 09
It's "Extend our Vocabulary Week" then Alok! (To coincide with Panda Spanking Awareness Week of course!) Most people I come across are not aware of this word either, so I thought I'd share it as i use it often. 
Arrogance to me is definitely a negative character trait and the more I think about it, the less I am inclined to believe that there is a possible form of arrogance that could be deemed positive. Moxy though, could definitely be perceived by some people as arrogance! I think most people would have moxy in bursts as it would be a very exhausting trait to exhibit at all times. Thanks for the comments my friend and yes, you too have moxy Sir! 
Arrogance to me is definitely a negative character trait and the more I think about it, the less I am inclined to believe that there is a possible form of arrogance that could be deemed positive. Moxy though, could definitely be perceived by some people as arrogance! I think most people would have moxy in bursts as it would be a very exhausting trait to exhibit at all times. Thanks for the comments my friend and yes, you too have moxy Sir! 1 person likes this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
23 Jun 09
That is a cool word. I haven't ever heard it before tonight.. Oxymoron I have heard.. Nope sadly I don't have Moxy..can arrogance be positive? I am not sure. I guess it would have to be depending on how arrogant they are. Too much is a pain in the tush..
1 person likes this
@cyberfluf (4996)
• Netherlands
12 Jan 09
It kind of sounds like a word that is inbetween arrogance and selfconfidence.
I don't think it's bad to feel good about yourself, as long as you don't bring down others while doing it. Looking down on people doesn't make you a very nice person, and it's a trait that goes hand in hand with arrogance a lot of the time.
I like the word moxy... I am changing my name to CYBERMOXY! 
, lol!
I don't think I am moxy, I would like to get a bit more confident but I doubt I would ever get moxy. It does have a nice ring to it, thanks for sharing it!
, lol!
I don't think I am moxy, I would like to get a bit more confident but I doubt I would ever get moxy. It does have a nice ring to it, thanks for sharing it!@cyberfluf (4996)
• Netherlands
12 Jan 09
Thank you for explaining the word moxy yet a little more, James. Now that you have used the word 'spunk' as an example (which I fortunatly know, yay! ), I get a better idea of the meaning of the word moxy.
Cybermoxy does have a nice ring to it, eh? I might name my cyberpet panda that!
A panda with spank is a panda with spunk a.k.a moxy... erm... I am going a bit too far .
), I get a better idea of the meaning of the word moxy.
Cybermoxy does have a nice ring to it, eh? I might name my cyberpet panda that!
A panda with spank is a panda with spunk a.k.a moxy... erm... I am going a bit too far .1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
12 Jan 09
I agree that moxy could be perceived by many people as something in between the two also. I would consider this to be an inaccurate reading on their part though! Moxy as far as I am concerned is another word for "spunk" I guess. Anyone that had moxy certainly wouldn't look down on others I don't think. They would be full of energy and self confidence and most definitely would stand their ground! Cybermoxy by the way is a pretty cool name!
I am sure that you would show moxy once in a while just like most of us do. It all comes down to how strongly we feel about something. It's a word I've always loved anyways and you just don;t hear it anymore. You see it every now and then in movies from the 40's though! Thanks for the comments cyberfluf.
I am sure that you would show moxy once in a while just like most of us do. It all comes down to how strongly we feel about something. It's a word I've always loved anyways and you just don;t hear it anymore. You see it every now and then in movies from the 40's though! Thanks for the comments cyberfluf. 1 person likes this
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
12 Jan 09
Moxie or moxy? Either way, I would like to think I have it. Boyfriend tells me I am full of moxie a lot of times but I know that I tend to cower underneath the sheets when it is time for a transition.
1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
12 Jan 09
I have heard of this spelling alternative, but meanings I have found to date seem to spell it with a "y". I suppose it is a regional thing, kinda like night versus nite etc. Cowering under the sheets with moxy is definitely a whole other spin on the term SaintAnne! I'd say for sure that you are someone that shows moxy every now and then. No question.
I'd say for sure that you are someone that shows moxy every now and then. No question.1 person likes this
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
13 Jan 09
Every now and then? Every now and then? Every now and then? 
I resolve to have a lot of moxie today! My only day off from everything!!!
I resolve to have a lot of moxie today! My only day off from everything!!!1 person likes this
@riyasam (16556)
• India
9 Jan 09
when i saw your heading of sir and madam,i thought the word was PROXY and that you had misspelt it.i think you will agree that proxy is a more commoner word in student and college life.i havent heard the term MOXY.mylot sure did increase my vocabulary like WTF.ofcourse,i do have oodles of moxy,otherwise you would have cut me down to size!!@James72 (26790)
• Australia
9 Jan 09
Oh you have plenty of moxy alright riya! I have always liked the sound of the word and I like what it means also. Not a bad word to add to your vocabulary either if you ask me! I believe I have plenty of it too at times and hope I always will. Thanks for your response and keep up the moxy! (Not proxy riya..... MOXY!)
I have always liked the sound of the word and I like what it means also. Not a bad word to add to your vocabulary either if you ask me! I believe I have plenty of it too at times and hope I always will. Thanks for your response and keep up the moxy! (Not proxy riya..... MOXY!) 
@stealthy (8181)
• United States
9 Jan 09
I have never associated arrogance with moxy and it is not in your quoted definition. Your definition, actually more of a description does describe moxy as being an unfavorable trait and I don't particularly agree with that either. I do agree with the first two sentences of your description. As far as I am concerned, I only have moxy in some circumstances. I have stood up to bullies, prevented a riot when I was in basic training in the military, defended friends in a fight, and not succumbed to peer pressure as a teenager but I am also shy in meeting new people and nervous when giving talks and in other ordinary situations. So I guess I only have it in certain types of everyday circumstances perhaps when more than just myself is in need.
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
9 Jan 09
Arrogance is definitely not mentioned specifically in the definition I provided, I guess my angle was because of the word's association with strong self confidence which I am sure many people wuld sometimes equate with arrogance if it were to be read the wrong way. I too don't consider moxy to be unfavourable either and see it more as "spunk" for want of a better word!
From the circumstances you have described, it does sound like you are someone with occasional spurts of moxy, yes. I consider myself to be the same and I am sure many others are sporadic also. Thankfully though I am not shy when having to meet new people or give talks, which is a good thing otherwise I would struggle in my career big time! Thanks for your comments stealthy.
@mands61123 (2098)
•
18 Jan 09
Intersting James I hadn't heard of this I think I'm the same as Stealthy i have it when it's required but it's not always all the time everyday type of thing.
1 person likes this
@SaviourV (260)
• Malaysia
9 Jan 09
Saviour-V teleports in...
I don't know, but sometimes, I have rounds when my confidence is super-high. And sometimes, I get whittled down to size.
I guess you can't win everything.
Having said that, it suddenly occurred to me that perhaps the maker of OXY came up with a brainwave when he was looking for a name for his flagship product.
Just a hunch. I'm imagining how it came to him right about now. Would you care for the script, James72?
Saviour-V grins, and teleports out...
1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
9 Jan 09
I would have to say that however fleeting it may be from time to time, you probably have one of the most unique brands of moxy there is SaviourV! Nah, we can't win all the time but bouts of high confidence should be a goal of all of us really. Maybe you are right about the maker of OXY being the foudner of such a term, has he been around for long? The script may settle things once and for all, so feel free to share it if you so desire. Thanks for the response and I wish for you a Happy New Year. Nice to see you teleporting in again.
Nah, we can't win all the time but bouts of high confidence should be a goal of all of us really. Maybe you are right about the maker of OXY being the foudner of such a term, has he been around for long? The script may settle things once and for all, so feel free to share it if you so desire. Thanks for the response and I wish for you a Happy New Year. Nice to see you teleporting in again. @SaviourV (260)
• Malaysia
18 Jan 09
Saviour-V teleports in, and grins knowingly to James72...
Lessee if I can pull this off. Need to focus here.
Saviour-V tries to concentrate, but eventually...
Rats. Can't seem to connect things. Need a better brainwave. I need some inspiration. Something divine. Something....OXY.
James, a little help, maybe?
Saviour-V scratches his head a bit, before teleporting out...
1 person likes this
@sheenarobins (547)
• Philippines
9 Jan 09
Hi James72,
I learned something new from you today. heheheh :) I think I have MOXY, too. If I try to use the word in my country then no one will understand. They will either ask me what it means or they will not get it and they will think my English vocabulary is superior. lol
1 person likes this
@sheenarobins (547)
• Philippines
9 Jan 09
thank God my 9 star is still there. I thought I lost it because I've been gone for quite a while.
1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
9 Jan 09
Heya sheena! It appears this is a new word for many people so far and there is no chance of anyone getting it here in Egypt either. lol. I think we all show moxy every now and then and it all comes down to the situation and how strongly we feel about it. As for your star, as far as I am aware, unless people rate ypou badly in your absence, it shouldn't change too much. Just be sure to not disappear for too long! Thanks for the response.
Thanks for the response.