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Public Life

How assemblies, candidates, voting and public office were named.

Ancient cities distinguished private people from public officeholders. Roman clothing and religious customs entered the vocabulary of office. Later assemblies and voting practices added names of their own.

In approximate historical order, from the origins and events behind the words.

  1. idiot (n.)once a private citizen
  2. candidate (n.)first white-robed
  3. inaugurate (v.)once a matter for the birds
  4. parliament (n.)a place for speaking
  5. ballot (n.)first a little ball

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