IN this year of Glasgow 2014, I was prompted to look up the origins of "commonwealth"- a noun meaning "public welfare; general good or advantage", dating from the 15th century according to the OED.
The original phrase "the common-wealth" or "the common weal" comes from the old meaning of "wealth," as "well-being", suggested to be a loose translation of the Latin res publica (republic); for some people, ideas of commonwealth are apparently synonymous with republicanism.
Food for thought there for both Glasgow and Scotland in 2014.
George Kirrin,
26 Foxgrove Road, Beckenham, Kent.
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