What is most striking to those who have learned Spanish as a foreign language is the use of the word sacrificio, meaning literally “sacrifice”, to indicate the slaughter of an animal for human consumption.
A word full of mystical/ritual meaning to indicate a practice so ordinary that we don’t even think about it anymore.
Not even when we see packages of ham at the supermarket, fried chicken in a fast-food bucket, or a nice “rare” steak on the plate.
Sacrifice comes from Latin, and is the union of the words “sacrum” (sacred) and “ficium” (a noun derived from the verb “facere”, to make).
To make something sacred.
To consecrate the life of an animal or a living being not to a divinity, but to our stomach.
As the meat paradox that afflicts (part of) us omnivores wasn’t enough!
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