Since today's date is April 15th, our word for the day is almost preordained. So, no surprise here, the word is tax, or, as comes more comfortably to my mind, taxes. (They do seem to mount up don't they?)
Tax, they say, is a compulsory payment from our income, be it personal, business or investment, to government. Its origin is Middle English from Old French, taxer, from Latin, taxare, and possibly from Greek, tassein.
I would have been disappointed had the word not traced back to early historical times. It's always seemed to me that from the time one group of folks (government/governors) got the better of another group of folks (we the people) tribute has been part of the blasted formula.
Oh, well, and so it goes. Happy April 15th, anyway.
Best wishes,
Anna Drake
