Quote:
Originally Posted by elchivito
I would posit that in spite of their etymological origins, the meaning of these words has changed through centuries of use. They no longer carry the religious connotations that they once did.
If I referred to an atheist as a "cretin", would I be doubly insulting him since etymologically the word originally meant "Christian"?  Sadly, I would not. |
Actually no. The word cretin meant someone who was suffering from a deficiency of thyroid hormones. The Christian reference is speculative etymology. One of several that are considered extremely doubtful.