I'm frustrated with so many people miss-using the word decimate. It is Latin, from the Roman Legions. Meaning to reduce by %10. Say your Legion did not fight well, so it would be decimated. The men were lined up, and drew lots. One in ten would be killed, beaten to death by the other nine. Motivation. Today, so many use it to mean "wiped out" or "destroyed". Won't win wars by decimating the enemy. Sorry, but that is my rant for today.
DECIMATED
- Thread starter Rudi
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The meaning of words evolves, great example.
Ok
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Is 'obliterated' next?
Me thinks you must be really bored.
Old Cracker
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That’s heavy. 
Yeah. Nowadays, younger generation and all, appears to mean “somewhat discombobulated.”
I never thought of it meaning wiped out but always interpreted it to mean “greatly reduced” or meaning very high casualties.
I was aware of the connection with the Roman Army though.
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He ain't heavy; he's my brother!That’s heavy.
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Or kerfuffled.
Back in high school the 1950s, we didn't use fancy words like "decimated" or "obliterated". We'd simply say, "put the cleans to". When you put the cleans to something or someone, it/they were finished. As in "Bill Mazeroski put the cleans to the Yankees in the 1960 World Series". Anyone remember that phrase?
Alk8944
US Veteran
Probably a local or regional phrase. I never have heard that and I was in high school 1958-1962, in the "old days", when Latin was still offered in schools.
I know what brought this word to your attention. 
Fairly subtle political criticism, but it's still a poke...
Fairly subtle political criticism, but it's still a poke...
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