Misplaced Pages

#805194

46-398: "Gibberish" is also used as an imprecation to denigrate or tar ideas or opinions the user disagrees with or finds irksome, a rough equivalent of "nonsense", " folderol ", "balderdash", or " claptrap ". The implication is that the criticized expression or proposition lacks substance or congruence, as opposed to being a differing view. The related word jibber-jabber refers to rapid talk that

92-519: A curse and the forced expulsion of one from the community of Christians. By the 6th century, the liturgical meaning evolved again to mean a formal ecclesiastical curse of excommunication and the condemnation of heretical doctrines, the severest form of separation from the Christian church issued against a heretic or group of heretics by a Pope or other church official. The phrase Latin : anathema sit ("let him be anathema"), echoing Galatians 1:8–9,

138-615: A curse on the Anglo-Scottish Border reivers and caused it to be read out in all churches in the border area. It comprehensively cursed the reivers and their families from head to toe and in every way. In 2003 a 371-word extract from the curse was carved into a 14-ton granite boulder as part of an art work by Gordon Young which was installed in Carlisle ; some local people believed that a series of misfortunes (floods, factory closure, footballing defeats etc.) were caused by

184-412: A distinction later clarified by using the term "major excommunication" for exclusion from the society of the faithful, and "minor excommunication" for ordinary excommunication or exclusion from reception of the sacraments . Although in the canons of ecumenical councils the word "anathema" continued to be used to mean exclusion for heresy from the society of the faithful, the word was also used to signify

230-578: A divinity, to render the Hebrew word חרם ( herem ). The word appears in verses such as Leviticus 27:28 to refer to things that are offered to God and so banned for common (non-religious) use. The Hebrew word was also used for what was devoted, by virtue of a simple vow, not to the Lord, but to the priest. According to the Jewish Encyclopedia (1901–1906), with the rise of the synagogue as

276-596: A major excommunication inflicted with particular solemnity. Anathema, in this sense, was a major excommunication pronounced with the ceremonies described in the article bell, book, and candle , which were reserved for the gravest crimes. The 1917 Roman Code of Canon Law abandoned the distinction between major and minor excommunication (which continues in use among the Eastern Catholic Churches ) and abolished all penalties of whatever kind envisaged in previous canonical legislation but not included in

322-545: A person or group from the rite of Eucharist and attendance at worship, while anathema meant a complete separation of the subject from the Church. In the dogmatic canons of all the ecumenical councils recognized by the Catholic Church , the word "anathema" signifies exclusion from the society of the faithful because of heresy . Documents of the 9th and 12th centuries distinguish anathema from excommunication ,

368-526: A significant proportion of the study of both folk religion and folklore . The deliberate attempt to levy curses is often part of the practice of magic . In Hindu culture , the Sage or Rishi is believed to have the power to bless ( Āshirvada or Vara ) and curse ( Shaapa ). Examples include the curse placed by Rishi Bhrigu on king Nahusha and the one placed by Rishi Devala. Special names for specific types of curses can be found in various cultures: There

414-479: Is a broad popular belief in curses being associated with the violation of the tombs of mummified corpses, or of the mummies themselves. The idea became so widespread as to become a pop-culture mainstay, especially in horror films (though originally the curse was invisible, a series of mysterious deaths, rather than the walking-dead mummies of later fiction). The " Curse of the Pharaohs " is supposed to have haunted

460-400: Is any expressed wish that some form of adversity or misfortune will befall or attach to one or more persons, a place, or an object. In particular, "curse" may refer to such a wish or pronouncement made effective by a supernatural or spiritual power, such as a god or gods, a spirit, or a natural force , or else as a kind of spell by magic (usually black magic ) or witchcraft ; in

506-546: Is derived from the Irish word gob or gab ("mouth") or from the Irish phrase Geab ar ais ("back talk, backward chat"). The latter Irish etymology was suggested by Daniel Cassidy, whose work has been criticised by linguists and scholars. The terms geab and geabaire are certainly Irish words, but the phrase geab ar ais does not exist, and the word gibberish exists as a loan-word in Irish as gibiris . The term gobbledygook

SECTION 10

#1732791479806

552-518: Is detested or shunned. Examples include: The Old Testament applied the word to anything set aside for sacrifice, and thus banned from profane use and dedicated to destruction—as, in the case of religious wars, the enemy and their cities and possessions. The New Testament uses the word to mean a curse and forced expulsion of someone from the Christian community. The Septuagint uses the Greek word ἀνάθεμα ( anathema ), meaning something offered to

598-620: Is difficult to understand. The etymology of gibberish is uncertain. The term was first seen in English in the early 16th century. It is generally thought to be an onomatopoeia imitative of speech, similar to the words jabber (to talk rapidly) and gibber (to speak inarticulately). It may originate from the word jib , which is the Angloromani variant of the Romani language word meaning "language" or "tongue". To non-speakers,

644-491: The Old Testament , an Anathema was something or someone dedicated to God as a sacrifice, or cursed and separated from God because of sin. These represent two types of settings, one for devotion, the other for destruction. Anathema derives from Ancient Greek : ἀνάθεμα , anáthema , meaning "an offering" or "anything dedicated", itself derived from the verb ἀνατίθημι , anatíthēmi , meaning "to offer up". In

690-573: The Septuagint (Greek Old Testament). Its meaning in the New Testament is "disfavour of God", and is used both of the sentence of disfavour, as in Acts 23:14, and to the object of God's disfavour, as in the other cited places. Since the time of the apostles, the term 'anathema' has come to mean a form of extreme religious sanction, known as excommunication . The earliest recorded instance of

736-516: The archeologists who excavated the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun , whereby an imprecation was supposedly pronounced from the grave by the ancient Egyptian priests, on anyone who violated its precincts. Similar dubious suspicions have surrounded the excavation and examination of the (natural, not embalmed) Alpine mummy, " Ötzi the Iceman ". While such curses are generally considered to have been popularized and sensationalized by British journalists of

782-531: The 19th century, ancient Egyptians were, in fact, known to place curse inscriptions on markers protecting temple or tomb goods or property. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia article Cursing , the Bible depicts God cursing the serpent , the earth, and Cain ( Genesis 3:14 , 3:17 , 4:11 ). Similarly, Noah curses Canaan ( Genesis 9:25 ), and Joshua curses any man who should [re]build

828-535: The Anglo-Romany dialect could sound like English mixed with nonsense words, and if those seemingly nonsensical words are referred to as jib then the term gibberish could be derived as a descriptor for nonsensical speech. Samuel Johnson , in A Dictionary of the English Language , published in 1755, wrote that the word gibberish "is probably derived from the chymical cant, and originally implied

874-468: The Church until they repent. Epitemia, or excommunication, is normally limited to a specified period of time—though it always depends on evidence of repentance by the one serving the penance. The lifting of anathema, however, depends solely on the repentance of the one condemned. The two causes for which a person may be anathematized are heresy and schism . Anathematization is only a last resort, and must always be preceded by pastoral attempts to reason with

920-728: The Code. It defined excommunication as exclusion from the communion of the faithful and said that excommunication "is also called anathema, especially if inflicted with the solemnities described in the Pontificale Romanum ." The 1983 Code of Canon Law, which is now in force, does not contain the word "anathema", and the Pontificale Romanum , as revised after the Second Vatican Council , no longer mentions any particular solemnities associated with

966-609: The First Sunday of Great Lent —the "Sunday of Orthodoxy"—the church celebrates the Rite of Orthodoxy , at which anathemas are pronounced against numerous heresies. This rite commemorates the end of Byzantine Iconoclasm —the last great heresy to trouble the church (all subsequent heresies—so far—merely being restatements in one form or another of previous errors)—at the Council of Constantinople in 843. The Synodicon , or decree, of

SECTION 20

#1732791479806

1012-477: The Old Testament, חֵרֶם ( chērem ) referred to both objects consecrated to divine use and those dedicated to destruction in the Lord's name, such as enemies and their weapons during religious wars. Since weapons of the enemy were considered unholy, the meaning became "anything dedicated to evil" or "a curse". In New Testament usage a different meaning developed. St. Paul used the word anathema to signify

1058-636: The church to "mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine you have learned, and avoid them. For they ... by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple," and Matthew 18:10–18, which recounts the parable of the Good Shepherd , and provides the procedure to follow in dealing with those who err: "... if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in

1104-576: The city of Jericho ( Joshua 6:26–27 ). In various books of the Hebrew Bible , there are long lists of curses against transgressors of the Law ( Leviticus 26:14–25 , Deuteronomy 27:15 , etc.). The 10 Plagues of Egypt , preceding the 10 Commandments , can be seen as curses cast from the rods of Aaron and Moses acting on instruction from the God of Israel, in order to enable the enthralled to come free from

1150-515: The council was publicly proclaimed on this day, including an anathema against not only Iconoclasm but also of previous heresies. The Synodicon continues to be proclaimed annually, together with additional prayers and petitions in cathedrals and major monasteries throughout the Eastern Orthodox Churches. During the rite (which is also known as the "Triumph of Orthodoxy"), lections are read from Romans 16:17–20, which directs

1196-424: The curse, and campaigned unsuccessfully for the destruction of the stone. Curses have also been used as plot devices in literature and theater. When used as a plot device, they involve one character placing a curse or hex over another character. This is distinguished from adverse spells and premonitions and other such plot devices. Examples of the curse as a plot device: A number of curses are used to explain

1242-472: The failures or misfortunes of specific sports teams, players, or even cities. For example: Anathema The word anathema has two main meanings. One is to describe that something or someone is being hated or avoided. The other refers to a formal excommunication by a church . These meanings come from the New Testament , where an Anathema was a person or thing cursed or condemned by God. In

1288-454: The field to understand. Speakers or writers of officialese or legalese may recognize that it is confusing or even meaningless to outsiders, but view its use as appropriate within their organization or group. Bafflegab is a synonym , a slang term referring to confusing or a generally unintelligible use of jargon. Imprecation A curse (also called an imprecation , malediction , execration , malison , anathema , or commination )

1334-492: The form is in the Council of Elvira ( c.  306 ), and thereafter it became the common method of cutting off heretics ; for example, the Synod of Gangra (c. 340) pronounced that Manicheanism was anathema. Cyril of Alexandria issued twelve anathemas against Nestorius in 431. In the fifth century, a formal distinction between anathema and "minor" excommunication evolved, where "minor" excommunication entailed cutting off

1380-452: The infliction of excommunication . The Eastern Orthodox Church distinguishes between epitemia (penances) laid on a person, one form of which is "separation from the communion of the Church" (excommunication), and anathema. While undergoing epitemia, the person remains an Orthodox Christian, even though their participation in the mystical life of the church is restricted; but those given over to anathema are considered completely torn from

1426-464: The jargon of Geber and his tribe." The theory was that gibberish came from the name of a famous 8th century Muslim alchemist, Jābir ibn Hayyān , whose name was Latinized as Geber . Thus, gibberish was a reference to the incomprehensible technical jargon and allegorical coded language used by Jabir and other alchemists . After 1818, editors of Johnson's Dictionary rejected that origin theory. A discredited alternative theory asserts that it

Gibberish - Misplaced Pages Continue

1472-401: The latter sense, a curse can also be called a hex or a jinx . In many belief systems, the curse itself (or accompanying ritual ) is considered to have some causative force in the result. To reverse or eliminate a curse is sometimes called "removal" or "breaking", as the spell has to be dispelled, and often requires elaborate rituals or prayers. The study of the forms of curses comprises

1518-506: The mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he shall neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, whatever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." After an ektenia (litany), during which petitions are offered that God will have mercy on those who err and bring them back to

1564-481: The offender and bring about their restoration. For the Orthodox, anathema is not final damnation. God alone is the judge of the living and the dead, and up until the moment of death repentance is always possible. The purpose of public anathema is twofold: to warn the one condemned and bring about his repentance, and to warn others away from his error. Everything is done for the purpose of the salvation of souls. On

1610-553: The organizing principle of Jewish life circa the Maccabean period , the sense of the word herem changed from "an instrument of communal purification" to "an instrument for the promotion of personal conduct as well as the enforcement of public morality [...] an instrument of ecclesiastical discipline"; see Herem (censure) . The noun ἀνάθεμα ( anathema ) occurs in the Greek New Testament six times, and frequently in

1656-429: The right Faith by Thy power, and with Thy divine light illumine the eyes of those in error, that they may come to know Thy truth. Soften the hardness of their hearts and open their ears, that they may hear Thy voice and turn to Thee, our Saviour. O Lord, set aside their division and correct their life, which doth not accord with Christian piety. ... Endue the pastors of Thy Church with holy zeal, and so direct their care for

1702-670: The salvation and conversion of those in error with the spirit of the Gospel that, guided by Thee, we may all attain to that place where is the perfect faith, fulfillment of hope, and true love ...." The protodeacon then proclaims the Synodicon, anathematizing various heresies and lauding those who have remained constant in the dogma and Holy Tradition of the Church. Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Anathema"  . Catholic Encyclopedia . New York: Robert Appleton Company. [REDACTED]  This article incorporates text from

1748-515: The song " Prisencolinensinainciusol " in gibberish as an intentional mimic of the sound of English to those who are not fluent in the language. The terms officialese or bureaucratese refer to language used by officials or authorities. Legalese is a closely related concept, referring to language used by lawyers , legislators , and others involved with the law. The language used in these fields may contain complex sentences and specialized jargon or buzzwords , making it difficult for those outside

1794-399: The tares of the passions make it to bear but little fruit in certain places and none in others, and with the increase in iniquity, some, opposing the truth of Thy Gospel by heresy, and others by schism, do fall away from Thy dignity, and rejecting Thy grace, they subject themselves to the judgment of Thy most holy word. O most merciful and almighty Lord ... be merciful unto us; strengthen us in

1840-401: The truth, and that he will "make hatred, enmity, strife, vengeance, falsehood and all other abominations to cease, and cause true love to reign in our hearts", the bishop (or abbot ) says a prayer during which he beseeches God to: "look down now upon Thy Church, and behold how that, though we have joyously received the Gospel of salvation, we are but stony ground. For the thorns of vanity and

1886-504: The victim of expiation for sin ( Galatians 3:13 ), to sins temporal and eternal ( Genesis 2:17 ; Matthew 25:41 ). Cursed objects are generally supposed to have been stolen from their rightful owners or looted from a sanctuary. The Hope Diamond is supposed to bear such a curse, and bring misfortune to its owner. The stories behind why these items are cursed vary, but they usually are said to bring bad luck or to manifest unusual phenomena related to their presence. Busby's stoop chair

Gibberish - Misplaced Pages Continue

1932-467: The yoke of enforced serfdom , slavery and the like. In the New Testament , Christ curses the barren fig tree ( Mark 11:14 ), pronounces his denunciation of woe against the incredulous cities ( Matthew 11:21 ), against the rich , the worldly, the scribes, and the Pharisees , and foretells the awful malediction that is to come upon the damned ( Matthew 25:41 ). The word curse is also applied to

1978-511: Was coined by Maury Maverick , a former congressman from Texas and former mayor of San Antonio. When Maverick was chairman of the Smaller War Plants Corporation during World War II, he sent a memorandum that said: "Be short and use plain English. ... Stay off gobbledygook language." Maverick defined gobbledygook as "talk or writing which is long, pompous, vague, involved, usually with Latinized words." The allusion

2024-518: Was reportedly cursed by the murderer Thomas Busby shortly before his execution so that everyone who would sit in it would die. According to the Bible, cursed objects are those which are used in idolatry whether that idolatry is indirectly or directly connected to the devil. A list of those Bible references along with a comprehensive list of occult and cursed objects can be found online. In 1525 Gavin Dunbar , archbishop of Glasgow , Scotland, pronounced

2070-416: Was thus used in decrees of councils defining Christian faith. Examples include: In 1526, the word anathema appeared in modern English for the first time and was used in the sense of "something accursed". The "consecrated object" meaning was also adopted a short time later, but is no longer widely used. Its most common modern usage is in secular contexts where it is used to mean something or someone that

2116-441: Was to a turkey , "always gobbledygobbling and strutting with ridiculous pomposity." The term "gobbledygook" has a long history of use in politics to deride deliberately obscure statements and complicated but ineffective explanations. The following are a few examples: Using gibberish whilst acting can be used as an improvisation exercise in theatre arts education. The Italian musical artist Adriano Celentano wrote and performed

#805194