OxfordWords guest post: culprit

John Kelly

February 12, 2015

Be sure to visit the OxfordWords blog, where I’ve guest-authored another post. This time, it’s on origin of culprit:

Amnesia, disguises, and mistaken identities? No, these are not the plot twists of a blockbuster thriller or bestselling page-turner. They are the story of the word culprit. At first glance, the origin of culprit looks simple enough. Mea culpa, culpable, exculpate, and the more obscure inculpate: these words come from the Latin culpa, “fault” or “blame.” One would suspect that culprit is the same, yet we should never be so presumptuous when it comes to English etymology. Culprit is indeed connected to Latin’s culpa, but it just can’t quite keep its story straight.

Read “The curious case of culprit” in full.

m ∫ r ∫

3 responses to “OxfordWords guest post: culprit”

drlindallabin

February 12, 2015 at 6:29 pm

I love this analysis of the origins of “culprit.” Always a fan of etymology, I look forward to more fascinating stories of our language. I bought the miniaturized OED in my twenties and still use it today. English has such a rich history, with so many words borrowed from other languages that I still enjoy the detective work digging out a word’s roots.

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1. John Kelly
  
  February 14, 2015 at 4:40 pm
  
  Such kind words–thank you!I’m glad you are enjoying the blog.
  
  Reply
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