This column studies the history of words and phrases, their origins, and how their form and meaning have changed over time

A devil's advocate

Meaning: Someone who argues against an idea, position, or cause for the sake of argument, rather than out of actual opposition.

Origin - The term is derived from a tradition in the Roman Catholic Church, in which someone would act as an advocate for the devil, arguing against the canonization of someone as a saint. The devil's advocate was an official position in the Church between 1587 CE and 1983 CE, and he was known as advocatus diaboli, which literally means 'the devil's advocate'.

In casual conversation, a devil's advocate can seem extremely annoying, especially in a group which is generally in agreement on a topic, and even more so when it is clear that the person is arguing just to be contrary. In situations like this it can be helpful to remember the historical role of the devil's advocate; rather than reacting with irritation, it can be interesting to actually discuss the issue with someone taking a contrary position.

Alphabet soup

Meaning - A metaphor for an abundance of documents, titles, names, departments...

Origin - Alphabet pasta is one that has been mechanically cut or pressed into the letters of the alphabet. It is often served in a canned or condensed broth. One common American brand of condensed-style alphabet soup is Campbell's. This soup like its competitors is marketed towards parents for its educational value.

A similar product, Alphabetti Spaghetti, was sold by the H J Heinz Company for 60 years before being discontinued in 1990. Like Campbell's alphabet soup, it contains alphabet pasta canned in tomato sauce, but no cheese. It was later reintroduced by Heinz in 2005. In the United States, the Federal Government is described as an alphabet soup on account of the multitude of agencies that it has spawned, including the NSA, CIA, FBI, USSS, BATF, DEA, NCIS and INS.

Ax to Grind

Meaning - A selfish aim or motive, (eg: The article criticized the new software, but the author had an ax to grind, as its manufacturer had fired his son)

Origin - This frequently used idiom comes from a story by Charles Miner, published in 1811, about a boy who was flattered into turning the grindstone for a man sharpening his ax. He worked hard until the school bell rang, whereupon the man, instead of thanking the boy, began to scold him for being late and told him to hurry to school. 'Having an ax to grind' then came into figurative use for having a personal motive for some action.