The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.
bread and circuses
PLURAL NOUN: Offerings, such as benefits or entertainments, intended to placate discontent or distract attention from a policy or situation.
ETYMOLOGY: Translation of Latin pnem et circnss, a phrase coined by the Roman poet Juvenal : pnem, accusative singular of pnis, bread + et, and + circnss, circus games.
How much money is wasted on this annual ritual (sorry to be a spoilsport)?
but because I want my friends Tim/Liz and their new Seahawk fan, Sean to have a wonderful day... Go Seahawks!
but out of love for Sean's generation I must present one short history/critique from the Ethical Spectacle of Bread and Circuses... do you know any sports fanatics, it an amazing way to occupy "time" and to keep the working people from taking that first "yawn" of recognition.
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