1376: scapegoat Sep 17, 2018

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There are plenty of terms that now are used in everyday language but when broken down make no sense. One such term is 'scapegoat', given that 'scape' doesn't have any independent meaning, and 'goat' seems like it could be almost a random term here. However, like with 'ostracize' the modern meaning can only be understood through history. In this case, in Leviticus it is described how a Jewish leader could banish a goat that had both literally and symbolically taken the sins of the people as a sort of replacement. Now, the idea of 'scapegoating' has less to do with sin, and relates more to blame for social or economic woes, but has ancient roots.

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