Question

Odd man out–Epicurean, Hideous, Gastronomist, Gourmet

Answer 1

Step 1 — Analyze the given words:
1. Epicurean → A person devoted to the enjoyment of fine food and comfort.
2. Hideous → Something extremely ugly, unpleasant, or shocking.
3. Gastronomist → An expert in the art or science of good eating.
4. Gourmet → A person who has a refined taste in food and drink.

Step 2 — Identify the common theme:
Words like Epicurean, Gastronomist, and Gourmet all relate to food, eating, and refined taste.

Step 3 — Spot the odd one:
The word Hideous does not belong to this group. It describes ugliness or something offensive, and it has no connection to food or culinary enjoyment.

Step 4 — Conclude:
Thus, the odd man out among the given words is Hideous.

Answer: The correct answer is Hideous.

Answer 2

Instead of defining each word, they can be grouped by the root or origin each one comes from.

1. Epicurean: Traces back to the philosopher Epicurus, whose name is associated with the enjoyment of food and comfort, placing this word in the food-and-pleasure family.
2. Gastronomist: Built from the Greek root "gastro," relating to the stomach and the art of good eating, again placing it in the same food family.
3. Gourmet: Comes from French, describing a connoisseur of fine food and drink, once more falling into the same food family.
4. Hideous: Traces back to an Old French word connected with fear and horror, describing something extremely ugly, which belongs to an entirely different family tied to appearance and fright, not food.

Grouping the words by their root and origin shows three belonging to the food-and-taste family, while the fourth belongs to a family concerned with fear and ugliness.

Hence, the correct answer is Hideous.