Page:Ralcy H. Bell - The Mystery of Words (1924).pdf/214

 movement: a custom is followed; a habit is acquired.”

“Dilapidated for ruined. Said of a building, or other structure. But the word is from the Latin lapis, a stone, and can not properly be used of any but a stone structure.” Such strictures placed upon the use of words in a living language, if taken seriously, would so confuse us that we should hardly know how to say anything with assurance.

And caprice, which came to us by way of the French from (It.) capriccio, and (L.) caper, had a picturesque primitive meaning. ‘Capriccio, a sudden start, a freak motion; apparently from (It.) capro, a goat,’ etc.” Capricious, according to the same dictum, “can not properly be used of any but a” goat or like beast. Thus the reporter who refers in the press to the caprices of Miss Millionaire, virtually calls her father an old goat—which may be all very well and meta-