Magnetic or Mesmerizing

I feel exultant today, Sunday, October 7! I attended the Bagel Talk Toastmasters Club this morning at 9:30 AM. I was one of the 3 speakers scheduled for today. The word of the day was "exultant."

My speech was entitled, Franz Anton Mesmer, A Magnetic Personality.

Mesmer was a doctor in France, in the 18th century. He developed his own healing methods, using magnets and iron rods, based on his theory of "Animal Magnetism." He believed that all living things contain an invisible magnetic fluid and any blockage of this fluid would cause disease.

Although he called his method "Animal Magnetism," his followers referred to it as "mesmerism," and coined the word "mesmerize." So I'm puzzled as to whether to call him a Magnetic Personality or a Mesmerizing Personality. Wouldn't it be redundant to say Mesmerizing Mesmer? It makes the origin of the word more apparent, and is more mellifluous than "Magnetic Mesmer." Which do you prefer, magnetic or mesmerizing?

exultant -- jubilant.

magnetic -- attractive.

mesmerizing -- enchanting, entrancing, charismatic.