Tradition
The stories and rituals we tell ourselves and pass down, regardless of origin. Also, the reason not to change.
How We Say It
trΙΒ·dishΒ·Ιn
Where It Comes From
Latin traditio β a handing over, delivery. From tradere β to hand over, to deliver. Related to traitor β both involve handing something to someone else. Tradition is literally what has been handed down; a traitor is one who handed over what shouldn't have been.
How It's Been Used
G.K. Chesterton argued tradition is the democracy of the dead β giving a vote to ancestors. Critics argue traditions often preserve the preferences of those who had power when the tradition was established. 'Traditional values' as a political phrase refers to a specific recent construction, not an ancient one.