46zilzal
04-10-2006, 01:39 PM
Ben Franklin once said, "In this world nothing is certain but death and
taxes." And the same goes for this week's words: nothing is certain but
death and taxes, or at least a discussion of them.
publican (PUB-li-kuhn) noun
1. A tax collector.
2. An owner or manager of a pub or hotel.
[From Latin publicanus, from publicum (public revenue), from publicus
(public), from populus (people).]
In ancient Rome, the state farmed out the collection of taxes. The right
to collect tax was auctioned off to the highest bidder. Tax collection
agents, known as publicans, employed lower-level collectors who made best
use of their license. For their severe extraction of taxes, publicans
were widely despised. Now, if a publican is a tax collector, what is a
republican?
"'Haven't you robbed people enough -- taking their last shirts?' said
a voice addressing the publican."
Leo Tolstoy; War and Peace; 1865-1869.
taxes." And the same goes for this week's words: nothing is certain but
death and taxes, or at least a discussion of them.
publican (PUB-li-kuhn) noun
1. A tax collector.
2. An owner or manager of a pub or hotel.
[From Latin publicanus, from publicum (public revenue), from publicus
(public), from populus (people).]
In ancient Rome, the state farmed out the collection of taxes. The right
to collect tax was auctioned off to the highest bidder. Tax collection
agents, known as publicans, employed lower-level collectors who made best
use of their license. For their severe extraction of taxes, publicans
were widely despised. Now, if a publican is a tax collector, what is a
republican?
"'Haven't you robbed people enough -- taking their last shirts?' said
a voice addressing the publican."
Leo Tolstoy; War and Peace; 1865-1869.