Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

MineralMan

(146,329 posts)
Mon Jan 14, 2019, 10:42 AM Jan 2019

One of the most often misspelled religion-oriented words in English is "sacrilegious."

People most often misspell it as "sacreligious," thinking it is based on the word religious. They rarely spell it correctly, and are often surprised when their spell-checker flags their spelling as incorrect.

That's because they don't understand the origins or etymology of the word, which really means "stealing sacred things," "misusing sacred things," or "showing disrespect for sacred things." Sacrilegious comes from two Latin words, sacer and lego, which translate to the English words, sacred and steal.

So, when I say something you think is disrespectful to religion, or make a joke about religion, please spell your insult correctly. I am being sacrilegious, not sacreligious. There is no "religious" in sacrilegious.

12 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
One of the most often misspelled religion-oriented words in English is "sacrilegious." (Original Post) MineralMan Jan 2019 OP
Post removed Post removed Jan 2019 #1
Thanks for yet another egregious insult. MineralMan Jan 2019 #3
Wasn't my alert, BTW. MineralMan Jan 2019 #5
Lots of pejoratives exist for those who offer dissenting views from those of religionists Major Nikon Jan 2019 #2
Perhaps it's oversensitiveness to criticism. MineralMan Jan 2019 #4
Privilege is maintained by stamping out all dissent Major Nikon Jan 2019 #8
Yes. Exactly. MineralMan Jan 2019 #9
Does that apply to things like Igel Jan 2019 #10
It can, but that's not just limited to religion Major Nikon Jan 2019 #11
Steal this block ? eppur_se_muova Jan 2019 #6
LOL! MineralMan Jan 2019 #7
There is no "I" in sacer or lego, so English spelling still makes no sense marylandblue Jan 2019 #12

Response to MineralMan (Original post)

Major Nikon

(36,827 posts)
2. Lots of pejoratives exist for those who offer dissenting views from those of religionists
Mon Jan 14, 2019, 11:36 AM
Jan 2019

None when it goes the other way. Very telling that.

Major Nikon

(36,827 posts)
8. Privilege is maintained by stamping out all dissent
Mon Jan 14, 2019, 12:16 PM
Jan 2019

When your perspective is the default, it will remain so as long as you can convince others dissent is unreasonable.

MineralMan

(146,329 posts)
7. LOL!
Mon Jan 14, 2019, 12:03 PM
Jan 2019

Well, it is a sacred symbol for toy manufacturers. That little block that costs almost nothing to make has generated billions in profits.

It's sort of like the humble, inexpensive communion wafer, which has enormous meaning to some.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Religion»One of the most often mis...