The Strange History of the Word Equal

The article explores the evolving meaning of the word 'equal,' highlighting how a Japanese translation of the Declaration of Independence rendered 'all men are created equal' as 'heaven created all persons in the same rut.' It discusses Samuel Johnson’s 1755 dictionary definitions of 'equal,' which include conflicting interpretations that underpin modern debates between liberals/progressives (focusing on proportional fairness) and conservatives (emphasizing legal sameness). Historical contexts like Roman law, biblical creationism, and Athenian democracy are cited to show how equality claims have coexisted with social hierarchies.