pabulum

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   bland, simplistic, or intellectually undemanding material offered as if it were nourishing

   The debate produced slogans and pabulum instead of serious analysis.

2. 2
   noun

   food, nourishment, or any material that sustains growth, especially in formal or scientific use

   For the parasite, the host's blood is its essential pabulum.

Borrowed directly from Latin pābulum, "food, fodder, nourishment," including nourishment for the mind. It is related to Latin pāscere, "to feed or pasture." The disparaging modern sense treats shallow ideas or entertainment as mental food of poor quality.

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