Halls of ivy

[James E. Clapp]

GEORGE THOMPSON wrote:
>
> As for the preference people have for absurd word histories: I had
> seen once a statement that "conjurors" were so-called because they
> had once been used in law courts to fool or "con" the jurors...

Well, if we're getting into law...

A lawyer once informed me that the origin of the word "testify" is that
in ancient Rome witnesses were required to grab their testes and swear
(by all they hold dear, I guess) to tell the truth.

James E. Clapp