scapegoat etymology

Etymology:

• Scape (Latin): "goat"
• Goat (Old English): "male goat"

Meaning:

Noun: * A person or group who is blamed for the actions or failures of others, typically to deflect attention from the true culprits.

Origin:

The term "scapegoat" originates from the ancient Jewish ritual described in Leviticus 16, known as the "Day of Atonement."

• During this ceremony, two goats were selected: one to be sacrificed as a sin offering and one to be the "scapegoat."
• The high priest would place his hands on the scapegoat's head, symbolically transferring the sins of the people onto the animal.
• The scapegoat was then taken into the wilderness and released, symbolically carrying away the sins of the community.

Over time, the term "scapegoat" became synonymous with any person or group that is unfairly blamed or held responsible for the actions or failures of others. This concept has been used throughout history as a means of deflecting blame, maintaining social order, or justifying discrimination.

scapegoat relate terms

• goat

  Etymology The word goat originates from the Old English word gāt which in turn is

• buck

  Etymology The word buck has several origins Middle English bocke from Old Engli

• scape

  Etymology The word scape is derived from the Old French word eschaper or echaper

• escape

  Etymology and Meaning of Escape Origin Old French escaper 12th century Late Latin ex

• scapegrace

  Etymology The word scapegrace is a combination of two Old English words Scape mean

• scape

  Etymology The word scape is derived from the Old French word eschaper or echaper

• grace

  Etymology Latin gratia favor thankfulness grace Meaning Favor kindness or good

• scapegoat

  Etymology Scape Latin goat Goat Old English male goat Meaning Noun A p

• victim

  Etymology of Victim The word victim is derived from the Latin word victima which

• caper

  Etymology From Middle English capre from Old French capre fem capre masc bud

• translate

  Etymology The word etymology comes from the Greek words étymon meaning true sense

• gasoline

  Etymology The word gasoline is derived from the compound Middle English word gas o li

• abound

  Etymology The word abound comes from the Old French word abondir which in turn came

• connotation

  Etymology From Late Latin connotatio from Latin connotare meaning to note together

• surreptitious

  Etymology Surreptitious originates from the Latin word surrepticius which means sto

• patriotism

  Etymology The word patriotism comes from the Latin word patria meaning fatherland

• taboo

  Etymology The word taboo originates from the Tongan language where it is spelled tap