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I didn’t know what “decimate” meant

It’s a pretty common word, one I myself use regularly in the sense of “annihilate.” I’ve just discovered that I can no longer use it so while hoping to retain my status as an etymology geek. Behold.

decimation
1549, from L.L. decimationem, from L. decimare “the removal or destruction of one-tenth,” from decem “ten.” Killing one in ten, chosen by lots, from a rebellious city or a mutinous army was a common punishment in classical times. Earliest sense in Eng. was of a tithe; decimate has been used (incorrectly, to the irritation of pedants) since 1663 for “destroy a large portion of.”

It was actually this article in the Oxford University Press (USA) blog that tipped me off to the error of my ways.

I wonder how many people silently snickered as I regaled them with tales of how I “decimated” the opposing army in Command & Conquer 3. Really, I guess, I’m wondering how many people snickered specifically because they knew this etymological trivium. I’m guessing not too many.

Oh, well. I’m off to get decimated at Hofbräuhaus tonight, as I’ve got further studying to do this week, and can’t afford to get annihilated.