Dear Editor,
“Decimate” is a word that originated in the early Roman Empire.
People misuse this word over and over.
They use it to refer to armies or things getting destroyed.
Actually, the Roman commanders came up with this word.
Romans would go into battle with their armies and, if they lost, line up their soldiers and count down from one to 10.
The tenth one they would kill.
This action gave the soldiers the incentive that they had better win or face uncertain punishment.
Ronald McCarter

Author