A word which meant something different being used in its.... 5

[Chance1234]

this caught my eye

I was reading an article on ancient plague when the author used the Line "The plague decimated the roman legions."

Im just wondering if there is a word for that kind of word usage. In the sense that decimation to a roman legion would of meant 1 in 10 men being taken out and executed which evolved to the word decimation we use today. I just found it interesting that the author chose to use that word.



Chance,

Filmmaker, gentleman and polla stilo eleous

 

[Grenage]

I thought the same thing, Beki. "Remove 10% of the population".

Was a good episode, too. John Simms is a great actor.

Carlsberg don't run I.T. departments, but if they did they'd probably be more fun.

 

[ESquared]

I'm reading a fantasy book, and just yesterday came across its use of decimate in the correct sense of killing 1 in 10 of a group of people (to demonstrate the power of the conquering warlord).

[COLOR=#aa88aa black]Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt.[/color]

 

[Gooser]

You know what? I've been guilty of misuse of this word for years. I didn't know its etymology, so I must have learned its meaning from context. (Or, is that mis-learned...?)

Thank you all for setting me straight. Now I will use it to describe downsizing if it is around 10% laid off, not if it is around 90% terminated.

--Gooser

 

[ESquared]

I confess I had it wrong, too. I thought it meant a 9 in 10 toll, not a 1 in 10.

[COLOR=#aa88aa black]Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt.[/color]

 

[Olaf Doschke]

Tithing decimates my income.

Didn't know what tithing is, so I looked it up and think I found a very good explanation:

http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2005/11/tithing/

Not having read other topics I don't know how esoteric this whole concept of Personal Development is. I normally don't feel comfortable with such private life consultating topics, when they suggest there is only one right way.

Bye, Olaf.

 

[sarahnade]

Actually, that blog is not quite right (what? the internet is wrong?).

//this is a whole other topic, I'll try to be brief

Tithing is an old Jewish practice that has continued in the modern church. Setting aside money (or whatever else) to give to the church, for God's use (like mission work, charities, and the church's electric bill). The idea is the same, but the heart behind it is different. It's not for self-betterment or new perspective (though both are benifits of giving). The point is that one believes all his posessions were created by and belong to God anyway, and being willing to allow Him to use it. In the Jewish custom, 10% of your income is what was asked, so it has become the guideline. But a lot Christians today will tell you if you can't give 10% willingly, don't. Give what you can, as long as you are giving out of a worshipful attitude.

//sorry for the off-topicness

Sarah
-don't panic, I'm mostly harmless-

 

[Olaf Doschke]

Thanks, sarah

Just for that I'll add another star, adding to your already awesome stardom for a newbie.

Bye, Olaf.

 

[sarahnade]

Wow, I should post here more often.
Purdy stars.

Sarah
-don't panic, I'm mostly harmless-

 

[SantaMufasa]

...And since you've hit the 5-stars-visible limit, you won't see my

for you except here.

Your "tithing" explanation was well done...I, personally, tithe for the biblical reasons versus the "personal wealth building" motives that appear in the link, above.

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
[I provide low-cost, remote Database Administration services: www.dasages.com]

 

[ESquared]

The historical reason for the 10% tithe figure is because 10% of the Jews were priests (the Levites) and had no way to support themselves otherwise.

The New Testament talks an awful lot about giving and attitudes of giving, and says very little about tithing. Some people say that since priests don't comprise 10% of the people any more, and giving's purpose seems to be to help the poor and needy rather than religious leaders, tithing is no longer necessary. And they say that for some people that might mean much less than 10%. But they also say that some people may be failing utterly in the giving area if they're giving less than 25%. It all comes back to the attitude of the giver.

[COLOR=#aa88aa black]Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt.[/color]