THE FIRST WORD

Doubting Thomas

PRONUNCIATION:

(DOU-ting TOM-uhs) 

MEANING:

noun: A person who is habitually doubtful or someone who refuses to believe something until given proof.

ETYMOLOGY:

After Saint Thomas, apostle, who doubted Jesus Christ's resurrection according to the Bible. Earliest documented use: 1877.

USAGE:

"At four, our daughter is a doubting Thomas so we pry open the mouths of snapdragons to show her the reason behind the name."
Megan Fulweiler; Tales to Inspire the Young Gardener; The New York Times; Dec 12, 1982.

NOTES:

Here's to doubting Thomases of the world! Too many of us shut off our critical thinking ability and begin to take things on faith. As Mark Twain once said, "Faith is believing what you know ain't so."