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Today's word/phrase

It is quite interesting to see how some words are originated.

'Quarter':

To spare the life of an enemy in one's power- or to grant a quarter to an enemy. Both shows the same meaning.This word originated from an ancient agreement between te Dutch and the Spaniards that the ransom of a soldier should be a quarter of his pay.  This might have meant to 'grant condition'. In this sense quarter was commonly used once. 




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TODAY'S WORD/PHRASE

'BADGE OF POVERTY': In the reign of William III those who received Parish relief had to wear a badge (with the letter P together with the initial of the Parish)  in red or blue cloth on the shoulder of the right sleeve, whence it is used to denote a poor person.

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