Saturday, 24 May 2008

• "An oft repeated etymology proposes that "sincere" derived from the Latin sine = "without", cera = "wax". According to this explanation, dishonest sculptors in Rome or Greece would cover flaws in their work with wax to deceive the viewer. The Oxford English Dictionary, however, deflates this charming etymology, sadly informing “There is no probability in the old explanation from sine cera ‘without wax’”. Instead, the OED explains "sincere" actually derives from the Latin sincerus meaning "clean, pure, sound.” Wax has nothing to do with it."
  
  
  Sometimes the lies seem to be more interesting.
  
  

  • 12:31 AM
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