The correct spelling of the phrase "wholesale murder" is a crucial matter as it refers to the gruesome act of killing multiple individuals, often in a systematic way. The IPA phonetic transcription for this phrase is /ˈhoʊlseɪl ˈmɜːrdər/. The first syllable "whole" is pronounced as "ho" with a long "o" sound, and the second syllable "sale" is pronounced with a long "a" sound. The stress falls on the first syllable "ho". The word "murder" is pronounced with a short "u" sound at the beginning and again stressed on the first syllable.
Wholesale murder refers to the act of systematic and widespread killing or loss of human lives on a large scale. It is a term that implies the indiscriminate and deliberate targeting of numerous individuals for the purpose of causing their deaths. The term "wholesale" is used to emphasize the extensive and comprehensive nature of the killings, implying that they are carried out on a large, often industrialized, or organized basis.
This term is commonly used to describe situations where a significant number of people are killed in a single event, such as mass shootings, terrorist attacks, or genocides. However, it can also be used to characterize ongoing and pervasive violence that occurs continuously over an extended period, such as in cases of state-sponsored exterminations, civil wars, or ethnic cleansings.
Wholesale murder is typically associated with a disregard for human life, a lack of empathy, and an intention to cause maximum harm or terrorize a particular group or population. It is a grave violation of human rights, international law, and ethical principles that protect the value and sanctity of life.
This term is often employed in discussions of human rights abuses, war crimes, or atrocities committed by individuals, groups, or governments. The use of the term "wholesale murder" seeks to underscore the severity and magnitude of the violence, as well as the necessity to condemn and hold accountable those responsible for such heinous acts.
The phrase "wholesale murder" is not a specific word with a distinct etymology. It is a combination of two words: "wholesale" and "murder".
1. Wholesale: The word "wholesale" originated from the Middle English word "hoole" which meant whole or entire. It developed into "whole-sale", referring to the sale of goods in large quantities as opposed to retail. Gradually, "whole-sale" merged into a single word "wholesale" in the early 15th century.
2. Murder: The word "murder" has roots in Old English, derived from the Old High German word "mord" and the Proto-Germanic word "murthra". It has been present in the English language since the Middle Ages and has consistently meant the unlawful killing of another person with malice aforethought.