Fun Fact

“Odious” comes from the Latin word “odiosus,” derived from “odium,” meaning “hatred.” In ancient Roman law, there was a specific legal principle called “odious debt” (debita odiosa), which referred to financial obligations incurred by a ruler for purposes that were against the interests of the state’s citizens. This concept still exists in modern international law, where “odious debt” describes national debts incurred by corrupt regimes. Interestingly, in medieval times, being declared “odious” by the Catholic Church was a serious matter that could lead to social ostracism. The word gained particular prominence during the French Revolution, where declaring someone “odieux” (the French equivalent) could lead to their being targeted by revolutionary forces. Today, while less dramatically employed, it remains one of the strongest words in English for expressing moral repugnance, carrying more weight than similar terms like “disagreeable” or “unpleasant.”