Origins: Volume 1
Who doesn’t love Origin Stories?
The casual movie goer gets to happily learn the whole backstory of the latest rendition of a popular comic book hero, much to the frustration of hardcore fans.
The new new Spider-man movie just hit the theaters this past weekend. This latest version of Spidey is portrayed by the youthful British actor Tom Holland.
Although this is the third rendition of Spider-man in the past decade it has surprisingly grossed over $117 million in the U.S.A. alone on it's opening weekend.
Not bad Sony, not bad.
Still, Tobey Maguire's version of Spider-man (which grossed $151 million in Spider-man 3's opening weekend) holds a special place in my heart. Who can forget the whole scene of him strutting down the street wearing black eye-liner under the influence of the Venom symbiote? Classic Sam Raimi. What a hoot.
Hardcore fans were pleasantly pleased (and relieved) that this wasn't yet another Spider-man origins story. I mean, how many times can you see Uncle Ben die before it starts to be a form of masochistic abuse?
And, you may be pleasantly pleased to find out...
This won’t be a post about him.
,
Rather, it will be the first post in a new and exciting series by yours truly. It will be an inconceivably light and informative series on the historical origins of common words or sayings that we all have used from time to time.
So, without further ado...
Todays word is:
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According to Militaryhistorynow.com, Decimation's meaning originated from a brutal Roman Military disciplinary action.
While the term today is generally equated with a massive defeat, the Latin word decimation actually means “the removal of a tenth”.
In the age of the Roman legions, army units that mutinied, fled in the face of the enemy or under-performed in combat could be singled out for group punishment in the form of decimation.
Under such a sentence, a body of troops would be divided into sections of 10 men. One soldier from each group would be chosen at random, usually through a lottery. The unlucky infantryman would then to be beaten to death by his comrades. The sentences were carried out immediately regardless of the victim’s rank, reputation or even involvement in the transgression in question. The fatal blows were typically with clubs — a practice the Romans called fustuarium.
I know that I have used the word Decimation incorrectly my whole life.
I’ve used the word to describe the condition of rosters on unfortunate sports team after they've experienced a rash of injuries.
Their roster is completely decimated.
I’ve used the word in a more serious way after witnessing the aftermath of a deadly tornado in Joplin, Missouri.
The shear decimation of the area is heart-breaking.
I should have given the use of the word more thought, since the root of the word is “Deci” as in “Decimal.” As in, by tenths.
So, naturally, to experience “Decimation” one would somehow have to involve a loss of a tenth. I can safely say that I have experienced decimation in many areas of my life.
Paying taxes and tithing are the first two areas that come to mind.
And now I know.
And so do you.
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Thanks for Reading!
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As Always,
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The origin of this word is really interesting, thanks for sharing! I wouldn't say you're using it wrong though; all language evolves over time, and ultimately words only mean as much as they convey in usage. For instance, did you know that the world "girl" used to simply refer to a child, regardless of sex?
And for that one tenth of a unit unlucky enough to receive this punishment, "decimation" certainly did mean complete and utter destruction, as most people today would define it!
I didn't know that about the word "girl.". Can I use that in a future post in this series? I will definitely give you credit.
Also, you are correct. For a soldier to be put to death, I would say that they experienced the ultimate decimation.
Yeah, feel free to use it!
thanks!
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STOPIs giving a tithe really decimation? The tithe never really was yours to begin with. It was and is always God's.
When it comes to taxes, if you only have to pay 10% then you are VERY fortunate.
On an interesting side note, tithe in the bible was always of your produce, like the animals you raised or the plants you grew. The tithe was never money as it is today. The purpose of the tithe was to provide for the tribe of Levi since they did not receive an inheritance in the land. Their job was to serve Yahweh in the temple/tabernacle and to minister to the people. The tithe was their means of literally putting food on the table for their families.
In a cheeky sort of way, yes, it is. It really means "a removal of the tenth." I was speaking of my own experience of blindly giving 10% of my income to a Business calling itself a Church, rather than giving everything I own to God. I did this because I was told that's what tithing was and that if I didn't I "was robbing God." After studying it myself, I came to the same understanding you just explained. Only, I also came to the understanding that the Tithe has no place in the New Testament Church. Rather, everything that I have been entrusted with as a steward belongs to God. I am willing to give up 100% as He directs.
As far as taxes go, yes, my Adjusted Gross Income brings my tax liability down to around to roughly 10%. That doesn't include property tax, sales tax or any other tax levied against me.
Thanks for your comments.
I'm glad to see there are others who are opening up their Bibles and reading it for themselves and not believing everything that comes out of the mouth of the man behind the pulpit as the God's honest truth.
I think there is still a place for tithe today. If we look at the OT we see the tithe was used for 3 things.
Now there is no temple or priests in it's service today so it's impossible to tithe for that but there are widows and orphans today and we can still celebrate the feasts, so we do have those options.
On taxes, apparently I need to have some more deductions because my tax liability is some where around 18-22% I think.
This post did not end up where I thought it would end up. Still, good reading! :)
Yes, perhaps a little more clue in the title? Not trying to edit your style or anything :) interesting post!
I should flag it just for the bait and switch! Still...it forced me to read about 'decimation', so its not all bad.
I'll flag your flag. Bait and switch was totally ununintentional.
I love words but after two years of Latin many years ago, I should have known the meaning of that word. It's just so easy to use - or abuse - words the way we've come to know them. Taking liberties with words is nothing new in our culture. I also like what you said about churches and tithing. I just read recently that there are how many televangelists that are multimillionaires? Names were listed but I'll not mention them. I will say this, though, my charity of choice is Salvation Army for the good works it does - and no highly paid CEO!
Salvation Army has done a lot of good work over the years. I'm a huge proponent of if you see a need, and have the means to meet that need, then it is up to you to do so.
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