Smitty wrote:
In article ,
"Jughugs" wrote:


"Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired" wrote in message
news:Xw1Wd.21177$Sn6.14987@lakeread03...

Tsk tsk, Matt, anyone who would use the word 'desimate'(sic) that way
can't be wrong

Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired


Oh not another "internet spelling cop". Spelling was wrong, use was
correct... so sue me.


Uh, actually, the usage is incorrect, also. The word decimate literally
means to kill one tenth of the total number. It isn't the ones who are
killed who are "decimated," it is the total population, who as a group
are thus reduced by that percentage.

The term comes from a Roman method for discouraging cowardice. If an
attack didn't go well enough the commander could order 1 man of 10 to be
killed by his fellow soldiers. The killing was usually neither pleasant
nor swift. The French used a similar system as late as WW1.

Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired