Trivia: The Ballsy Origin of "Testify"

One theory is that the word "testify" was derived from the ancient Roman custom of men holding their testicles with their right hands before giving testimony in court.

And why did the Romans have to hold their balls before they could testify in court? It was so that eunuchs and women were excluded.

We should say that etymologists aren't unified on this: some say that the origin of testify came from the latin "testis" which means "third person standing by" or "witness." But that's boring. (Source: American Heirtage Dictionary of the English Language)


This etymology is backwards. "Bear witness" is the older meaning of the root. "Testicle" is a diminutive that means "little witness" (to the owners masculinity).
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
They mean TESTES, not testis, as in bollocks, as it should be!

Who the hell let women into the courtroom, anyways? Who let women have power to decide anything? They're way too fucking emotional and cannot decide anything practically. hahahahahaha j/k
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
A quick read of Genesis 24 (in the Christian Bible) will show that swearing by male "privates" (either one's own, or the other person to whom one is swearing) is an old practice. Abraham told his servant to place his hand "under my thigh", which is considered a euphemism to describe what is actually being held when one puts his hand under another man's thigh.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Login to comment.
Click here to access all of this post's 7 comments




Email This Post to a Friend
"Trivia: The Ballsy Origin of "Testify""

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
 
Learn More