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A scapegoat refers to an individual or group who is unjustly blamed and targeted for the mistakes, faults, or wrongdoings of others. The term originated from ancient Jewish traditions where a live goat would be symbolically burdened with the sins of the community and then sent into the wilderness, thereby removing their guilt. Over time, the concept of a scapegoat has extended beyond religious contexts and into various aspects of society.
As a noun, scapegoat refers to the person or group who is chosen or assigned to bear the blame for the actions or failures of others. This process often involves unjustly singling out an individual or minority group in order to divert attention from the actual culprits or to maintain social harmony. The scapegoat commonly becomes the target of anger, resentment, or punishment due to the notion that holding them accountable will restore order and peace.
The act of scapegoating, or scapegoatism, can occur in interpersonal relationships, workplaces, politics, or even on a larger scale within societies. It is driven by the human tendency to find a target for negative emotions or to maintain a semblance of control amidst chaos or uncertainty. The scapegoat frequently faces discrimination, prejudice, or exclusion as a result of being unfairly deemed responsible for others' transgressions.
The concept of a scapegoat serves as a social mechanism for individuals or societies to absolve themselves from guilt or responsibility, while simultaneously reinforcing social norms, unity, or power structures. It is essential to recognize and challenge the practice of scapegoating in order to foster understanding, empathy, and justice within various communities.
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Among the anc. Jews, a goat on which the high priest solemnly laid the sins of the people, and which was afterwards driven into the wilderness; any person on whom the faults of another may be fixed.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "scapegoat" originates from biblical times and has its roots in Hebrew. It comes from two Hebrew words: "azazel" (עֲזָאזֵל) and "sa'ir" (שָׂעִיר). In the biblical context, during the Day of Atonement, the high priest would symbolically transfer the sins of the Israelites onto a goat known as the "scapegoat". This goat would then be set free in the wilderness, carrying away the sins of the people. The term "scapegoat" entered the English language in the early 16th century, referring to a person or entity who is blamed and punished for the wrongdoings of others.
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