nostrum
noun /ˈnɒstrəm/
/ˈnɑːstrəm/
(disapproving)- (formal) an idea that is intended to solve a problem but that will probably not succeed
- He criticized such right-wing nostrums as wage freezes or cuts in public spending.
- (old-fashioned) a medicine that is not made in a scientific way, and that is not effective
Word Originearly 17th cent.: from Latin, used in the sense ‘(something) of our own making’, neuter of noster ‘our’.