pariah etymology

Etymology

• Latin: paria ("equal, match")
• Old French: parage ("lineage, rank")
• Middle English: parage ("rank, status")

Meaning

A pariah is an outcast, an individual who is rejected or excluded from a social group or society. The term often carries connotations of isolation and contempt.

Origin

The word "pariah" has its roots in the ancient Indian caste system. In Vedic India, the pariahs were a group of people who were considered to be outside the four main castes (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras). They were relegated to the lowest and most menial tasks, such as cleaning toilets and removing dead animals.

Over time, the term "pariah" came to be used more generally to refer to anyone who is marginalized or excluded from society. This usage was reinforced by Christian missionaries in India, who used the term to describe those who did not adhere to the Hindu caste system.

In the 19th century, the term "pariah" was introduced into European languages. It was used by writers such as George Orwell to describe the plight of the working class and other marginalized groups.

Examples

• The homeless man was a pariah, shunned by all who passed him by.
• The outcast artist was a pariah in the society he once called home.
• The whistleblower who exposed corporate secrets became a pariah within her industry.

pariah relate terms

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