The word for today is – PLAGIARISM. Plagiarism is defined as using and passing off something as one’s own. It applies to written and spoken ideas. It comes from the Latin word – PLAGIARIUS – which means – A KIDNAPPER.
The ancient Romans would use a net to ensnare prey. Gladiators used a net in combat in the arena. The Latin word for – NET – is – PLAGA. Hence , the gradual development for the word kidnapping.
Many political and public speakers have been guilty of plagiarism because they stole someone else’s words or ideas and passed them off as their own. The Romans called this a form of piracy.
Cicero, the famous orator, when accusing the vile politicians of stealing from the sacred treasury, used the verb – SURRIPERE- meaning – TO STEAL SECRETLY. The English word – SURREPTITIOUS – comes from it.
