Vandals

/ˈvændəlz/ noun

Definition

People who deliberately damage or destroy property that doesn't belong to them, especially public property.

Etymology

From the Vandals, a Germanic tribe that famously sacked Rome in 455 CE and destroyed cultural artifacts. The tribe's name became synonymous with destruction, and 'vandal' entered English in the 1600s.

Kelly Says

It's ironic that 'vandal' comes from a real tribe—the Vandals weren't necessarily known for being more destructive than other invaders, but their raid on Rome was so dramatic that their name stuck to all destructive behavior forever.

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