Talk:William "Red" Dawson

General Comment
The term "decimated" should not be used. This is commonly used incorrectly as a general term synonomous with "devastated" or being almost totally destroyed. In actuality the word refers to a specific number, being approximately 10% (i.e. the "decimal" in decimated) and comes from the ancient Roman prectice of killing 1 of 10 people when there was civil unrest, etc. until the desired resulting "cooperation" was obtained. It is commonly assumed to mean a loss of approximately 90%; or only 10% remaining. One the contrary, decimation is not as severe as the term is commonly used and means only a loss of approximately 10%. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Forzasenna (talk • contribs) 04:34, 9 November 2008 (UTC)