Origins of Crime

The word 'crime' originates from a Proto-Indo root meaning to sieve, implying a categorization of legal and moral degrees. In its early usage during the 13th century, crime encompassed not just legal transgressions but also religious sins, illustrating a historical conflation between morality and legality. Following the Norman conquest, English law adopted numerous French terms, with legal language largely derived from Romance languages, while more brutal Anglo-Saxon terms remained for certain crimes. This blend contributed to the evolving definition of crime, expanding from simple acts of naughtiness to violations of established societal norms.