Skip to content
Vinony

self-help

noun

  1. self-guided improvement, often utilizing publicly available information or support groups
L327428 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *swé? Proto-Indo-European *selbʰ-der. Proto-Germanic *selbaz Old English self Old English self- Middle English self- English self- English help English self-help From self- + help.

  1. The practice of bettering oneself without relying on the assistance of others.

    “a self-help book”

    “Look at the self-help titles in the bookstore, and you'll get a few clues about our culture. They're all about aggression and acquisition. It wouldn't be at all surprising to see a book called How to Force your Will on Other People by Giving Them the Shaft and Fucking Them out of Their Money.”

  2. An act of redressing or preventing a wrong by one's own actions rather than through legal proceedings.

    “Murder is dealt with by the law of blood-revenge, but the innocent manslayer may seek asylum at God's altar. With murder are ranked man-stealing, offences against parents, and witchcraft. Other injuries are occasions of self-help or of private suits to be adjusted at the sanctuary.”

    “self-help repossession”