Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 September 1898 — The Coward. [ARTICLE]

The Coward.

The word “Poltroon,” a term of contempt applied to cowards, is derived from the Latin “pollex truncajtus,” from the fact that It used to be common for men who were anxious to avoid being sent Into the army to cut off their thumbs.