Definition of Scapegoat

In the daily use of language we use an infinity of curious expressions and it is useful to know their true meaning as well as their historical origin.

In the present case, a scapegoat is the person who assumes the responsibility of something that he has not done. In this way, when there is a situation in which there is a culprit of some facts but who exactly is unknown, someone decides to invent a person to use another expression common, "make him pay the duck" (one could even say "load the owl" and other expressions with the same meaning). Whoever becomes the scapegoat is usually the victim of some trick of someone who cleverly makes him responsible for an action even if he is not properly so. With this strategy the true culprit of some acts is spared a possible punishment.

In everyday life it is commonly said that you have to look for a scapegoat. It can also happen that someone who ends up being guilty of something says "I am the scapegoat" to imply that there is a plot against him.

Historical origin

One of the most important celebrations of the religion Jewish is the Day of Atonement, a celebration aimed at the purification of sins. In this context, the Jews sacrificed two male goats: one of them was sacrificed as symbol of the expiation of the Jews and the second was also sacrificed, implying that he bore the ills or faults of the people. The second sacrifice was called "the scapegoat" and this Old Testament expression became popular and was assumed in use. colloquial.

For Judaism the Day of Atonement is known as Yom Kippur and the purpose of this celebration is the true repentance of the believer in order to be reconciled to God.

Expressions and words related to religious tradition

In Latin American countries the tradition religious (both Jewish and especially Catholic) is very present in the language. In fact, in Spanish we use expressions whose origin is found in the Gospels. Some of them are worth mentioning: crying like a Magdalene, being ecce homo, losing the oremus, preaching in the desert, be something a Maccabean scroll or the return of the prodigal son. Any of them have a biblical origin but are used in contexts that have nothing to do with religious matters.

To the margin of some very specific expressions, do not forget that many words are originally associated to some aspect of religion (heresy, exorcism, exodus, devotion, sacred, dogma and a long etcetera). Consequently, it can be affirmed that our culture and our language is impregnated with religiosity.

Photo: iStock - Martin Dimitrov