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The secret of the word 'anecdote'
The word 'anecdote' comes from a book its author never meant to publish. In 550, historian Procopius of Caesarea wrote the Anekdota ('Unpublished Memoirs'), a scandalous chronicle of Emperor Justinian I’s court (527–565).
He exposed Empress Theodora’s affairs, General Belisarius’ schemes, and the hidden vices of Byzantine power. The manuscript, deemed too explosive, remained buried for centuries. Rediscovered in the late 16th century, it circulated secretly before being printed in 1623.
This collection of political gossip and juicy details gave its name to anecdotes. Originally, the word referred to unpublished – and often forbidden – stories.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
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