And it started so small: News-related Etymology

According to various sources at dictionary.com, the word "bribe" is Middle English, from the Old French, piece of bread given as alms. The shift of meaning to "gift given to influence corruptly" is first attested 1535. The original meaning of the word is said to be from the base bri(m)b- denoting something small.

(My apologies to Gov. Blagojevich for contributing to the burial of the principle of "innocent until proven guilty" in America. Talk about trial and conviction by public opinion...)

Etymology for the day: "larceny"

According to the American Heritage Dictionary via dictionary.com, "larceny" is a Middle English word, from Anglo-Norman larcin, theft, from Latin latrōcinium, robbery, from latrō, robber, mercenary, utimately from Greek latron, pay, hire.

And the Spanish for a robber or thief is ladrón.

Mercenaries have never had a good rep. . .