Translation inflation: “Decimate” more than 10%
May 7th, 2008 at 08:45am Barry Wood
Continuing the theme of “English isn’t Latin,” the standard definition of “decimate” is “to destroy or kill a large part of.”
Yes, the “deci-” comes from the Latin for “ten,” and the word comes from the Roman approach to military discipline in which one in 10 soldiers were randomly chosen to be slain to teach the survivors a lesson.
Thankfully, that practice has disappeared, and so has the necessity of preserving the “one-tenth” aspect of “decimate.”
However, the word should not be used as a substitute for “destroy” (it isn’t that heavy) or in references to trivial injuries or setbacks (it isn’t that light).
Entry Filed under: Latin vs. English
5 Comments Add your own
1. Send him to Town | May 7th, 2008 at 10:59 am
I disagree. I think decimate and destroy are synonymous.
2. Grace Keith | May 7th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Count me in on the Woodies. And, I agree with you, Barry.
3. Barry Wood | May 8th, 2008 at 1:14 am
Just to be clear on the “decimate” issue, the agreement or disagreement is not just with me but with Webster’s dictionary and every reference on usage on my desk. Destruction is complete; decimation is not.
4. Grace Keith | May 8th, 2008 at 7:58 am
I prefer to cite you as the source, oh great one. Didn’t you write the Webster’s dictionary?
5. Send him to Town | May 8th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Ok. Understood. You learn something every day. I appreciate the lesson. I guess that is why I visit this blog.
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