Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Language/2015 January 13

= January 13 =

Elizabeth Barrett Browning and "iconoclast"
Don't ask me where I read this, but I have firmly lodged in my head the "information" that Elizabeth Barrett Browning coined the word iconoclast. That is, until I checked wiktionary to confirm, and I discover it long predates her. We got it from Byzantine Greek via French.

However, here I read that the first use of the word in the metaphorical sense of "one who attacks orthodox beliefs or institutions" (as opposed to the literal smashing of graven images) dates from 1842. This would fit neatly into EBB's lifespan. Was she the one who gave us what has since become the usual meaning of the word? --  Jack of Oz   [pleasantries]  09:11, 13 January 2015 (UTC)
 * According to the other OED, the 1842 reference is from EBB herself: "An iconoclast of their idol rhyme" from Some account of the Greek Christian poets. That is their earliest citation of the sense "One who assails or attacks cherished beliefs or venerated institutions on the ground that they are erroneous or pernicious." AndrewWTaylor (talk) 09:46, 13 January 2015 (UTC)


 * Ah, excellent. Thanks, Andrew.  --   Jack of Oz   [pleasantries]  11:05, 13 January 2015 (UTC)