"M&M" > wrote in message
...
>
> On 6-Mar-2004, "Condor Chef" > wrote:
>
> > Yeah, but what happend to the other 90%? They go into hiding?
> >
> > (Hint - look up the word "decimate")
> >
> >
> > CC
>
> We have been victimized yet again by common usage of the language.
> I seem to believe that 'decimate' has been used in reference to the
> depletion of populatin as a result of plague where only ten percent
> survive. I stand corrected. And you sir have inflicted your superior
> intellect on the rest of us ignorant individuals without benefit of the
> full explanation.
> --
>

The root of the word comes from the Roman Legions practice of killing every
tenth man in a legion that showed cowardice or failure. The plague thing is
of more recent usage.