In ancient Greece, I believe it was, when a man was called to answer questions at a trial, he swore to tell the truth by putting his hand on his crotch. Now, anyone, what would happen to him if he were caught in a lie?

madscientist (imported) wrote: Fri May 31, 2002 12:14 pm In ancient Greece, I believe it was, when a man was called to answer questions at a trial, he swore to tell the truth by putting his hand on his crotch. Now, anyone, what would happen to him if he were caught in a lie?

If he was a Republican, he would blame the Democrats, and if he was a Democrat, he would blame the Republicans?

...maybe he would have to apoligize and change his tune(ic)?

A-1

The origin of the word testify?

It is first recorded in English in the late 14th century as 'testifie', having come from Late Latin testificare "to bear witness / proclaim". That word was formed from 'testis' (witness) and ficus (making).

Testis originally comes from the Indo-European root 'trei' or "three", in the sense of a "third person standing by (as a witness)".

There is a popular notion that suggests that Latin 'testis' for "witness" is related to the modern 'testis' for "testicle", by the idea that a testicle "bears witness" of virility and/or by the supposed ancient practice of covering male sexual organs to make oaths before giving testimonies.

This has not been proven, and some believe that 'testis' for "testicle" is actually related to Latin 'testa' meaning "pot / shell".

PUEROS

I have to agree with Pueros.

To the Greeks they were not testicles , but were orchis because they thought that they resembled the root of certain orchids endemic to Greece.

That is why the operation is an orchiectomy rather than a testectomy.

LOL

colin (imported) wrote: Sat Jun 01, 2002 11:52 am To the Greeks they were not testicles , but were orchis because they thought that they resembled the root of certain orchids endemic to Greece.

That is why the operation is an orchiectomy rather than a testectomy.

LOL

Actually, it's the other way round... 'orchis' (or 'orkhis' if you want to be pedantic) means 'testicle'. The plant is so named because the ancient Greeks had dirty minds, just like everyone else.

(There's a more coy derivation at http://www.floral-magazine.co.uk/atoz.php though the thought of what the god 'Orkhis' would personify is a little mind-boggling.)

BTW does anyone else think that 'Miss Orchid' would be an ideal nom de plume (nom de coup?) for a castratrix?