In English, for instance, the word rostrum is defined as a place where one stands in giving a speech. But originally this Latin word meant "a bird’s beak," such as the beak of a hawk or sparrow. But now this meaning does not even enter one’s mind when he hears or reads the word. In the days when Rome was a world power naval vessels were constructed with long, sharp prows for ramming enemy ships. Because of the appearance, it came to be known as "the bird’s beak," and this portion of the vessel was considered a trophy of war. The captured rostrum was taken to the Coliseum at the time a victorious commander went there to receive the acclaim of the people, and he would stand in the rostrum to receive his trophy and to give his speech.
Posted on: Fri, 04 Oct 2013 04:25:39 +0000
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