capital punishment

[bec197.]

why is it called 'CAPITAL' punishment? Also, do you think you are more likely to be given the death penalty if you please innocent to a murder you are later found guilty of? thanks

[Quizmonster]

It comes from the Latin word 'capita', meaning 'head'. In other words, it harks back to the days when - if found guilty of murder etc - you paid for it by losing your head under the executioner's axe, guillotine or whatever.

In countries which still employ the death penalty, the vast majority of people accused do plead their innocence of the crime. I doubt whether the plea makes much difference to the eventual outcome.

[Quizmonster]

The earliest-recorded written use in English of 'capital' to mean 'affecting or involving the loss of the head or life" - that's how the OED defines it - comes from Caxton in the 1480s. The relevant piece reads: "...to have capital sentence and be beheaded."

I'm sure, Tartan that you don't believe 'corporal punishment' just involves getting at junior NCOs! (Only joking...but it seems pretty clear that head-loss is, indeed, the basis of capital punishment.)

[bec197.]

thanks for that.