vandal(n.)
1660年代,“美丽或崇高的故意破坏者”,源自 Vandals,这是在455年由 Genseric 领导的日耳曼部落,他们洗劫了罗马,来自拉丁语 Vandalus(复数 Vandali),来自该部落对自己的名称(古英语 Wendlas),可能来自原始日耳曼语 *wandljaz “漫游者”。英语中的字面历史意义记录于1550年代。
There does not seem to be in the story of the capture of Rome by the Vandals any justification for the charge of willful and objectless destruction of public buildings which is implied in the word 'vandalism.' It is probable that this charge grew out of the fierce persecution which was carried on by [the Vandal king] Gaiseric and his son against the Catholic Christians, and which is the darkest stain on their characters. [Encyclopaedia Britannica, 13th ed., 1926]
在关于被日耳曼部落掠夺罗马的故事中,似乎没有任何理由支持“破坏行为”一词所暗示的公共建筑的故意和无目的的破坏指控。这个指控可能源于 Gaiseric 和他的儿子对天主教基督徒进行的激烈迫害,这是他们性格中最黑暗的污点。[ Encyclopaedia Britannica,第13版,1926年]
该词起源时间:1660年代