Alibi
Is an alibi the same as an excuse?
The word alibi has its origins in Proto-Indo-European (PIE) al-(1) (beyond) and Latin alibi (somewhere else, elsewhere).
The word alibi came to English in 1743 as a legal term meaning ‘a plea of having been elsewhere when an action took place’. A person would need to provide evidence of being in another place in order to support an alibi.
Any proof of innocence that does not involve being ‘elsewhere’ but which can excuse someone from blame for something or which can provide someone with an exemption from something is not an alibi.
In brief, an alibi is not an excuse.
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
The word alibi has its origins in Proto-Indo-European (PIE) al-(1) (beyond) and Latin alibi (somewhere else, elsewhere).
The word alibi came to English in 1743 as a legal term meaning ‘a plea of having been elsewhere when an action took place’. A person would need to provide evidence of being in another place in order to support an alibi.
Any proof of innocence that does not involve being ‘elsewhere’ but which can excuse someone from blame for something or which can provide someone with an exemption from something is not an alibi.
In brief, an alibi is not an excuse.
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
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