cardinal sin

Related to cardinal sin: mortal sin

cardinal sin

A major transgression. It is interesting that this phrase should have become a modern cliché, in that “cardinal” appeared in a much earlier medieval concept of the cardinal virtues (justice, prudence, temperance, and fortitude, on which all other virtues depend). Their counterpart in evil was known as the seven deadly sins, described by Chaucer (among others) in The Persones [Parson’s] Tale: “Of the roote of thise seyene sinnes thanne is Pryde, the general rote of alle harmes; for of this rote springen certein braunches, as Ire, Envye, Accidie or Slewthe, Avarice or Coveitise (to commune understondinge), Glotonye, and Lecherys”—that is, pride, anger, envy, sloth, avarice, gluttony, and lechery. By Shakespeare’s time the term had less specific meaning; in Henry VIII (3.1) Queen Katharine chides Wolsey and Campeius, “Holy men I thought ye . . . but cardinal sins and hollow hearts I fear ye.”
See also: sin
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • plot thickens
  • plot thickens, the
  • the plot thickens
  • thicken
  • (it's) (all) Greek to me
  • be all Greek to someone
  • Greek to me
  • Greek to me, it's
  • it's all Greek to me
  • (good) black don't crack
References in periodicals archive
'I think, Judge Demetriou also said that Cardinal Sin told her to do what was necessary,' he added.
No CBCP move to influence ex-mayor Sanchez case
They may not have the passionate persona of a Cardinal Sin, but the Catholic clergy will be giving guidance to the faithful in the upcoming elections to help them make informed choices.
Fools for Christ
'Cardinal Sin lived in a different time (with a) different context,' Msgr.
Priests remember Sin on 13th death anniversary
New Delhi (India), June 12 ( ANI ): Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Monday said that the government should not be attacked for seeking reconsideration of the recommendations made by the Supreme Court Collegium as it didn't commit a "cardinal sin."
Urging Collegium to reconsider not a cardinal sin: RS Prasad
Louis Distillery, makers of the award-winning Cardinal Sin Vodka and Cardinal Sin Starka, has just been selected by USA TODAY as the best craft vodka distillery in the US.
USA TODAY Selects St. Louis Distillery as the Best Craft Vodka Distillery in the US
After leaving he was known as Allan from Tod, due to committing the cardinal sin of moving to play for Walsden a few miles into Lancashire.
Memories of county rivalry on the cricket field
Meanwhile Gregg Wallace committed the cardinal sin of calling a soap star by their character name when he described the brilliantly entertaining Laila Morse as "Poor old Mo".
Amelle was a chart-stopper
NNA - Deputies of the House commit a cardinal sin by blocking parliament sessions and/or, by assuming a hard-line posturing, Maronite patriarch Beshara Rahi, charged during Sunday's homily at the Lady's Chapel in Bkirki today.
Rahi: Deputies commit a cardinal sin
Former referees' chief Keith Hackett has branded Roger East's decision to send off Sunderland's Wes Brown at Manchester United a 'guess' and a 'cardinal sin'.
Sunderland's Wes Brown has been hard done by, says ex-referees chief Keith Hackett; Wes Brown's red card at Manchester United was unjust according to former top referee Keith Hackett, who sympathises with the Sunderland defender
It's also let down by poorly executed action sequences and a sluggish sense of pace, as well as committing the cardinal sin of wasting Jeff Goldblum, who pops up for two scenes as American millionaire Krampf.
MORTDECAI (12A) ..... JOHNNY
The Ministry of Religious Affairs reminded that it condemned any act which targets innocent people whatever their religion or choice reminding that murder and bloodshed are considered in Islam as a cardinal sin. A call was launched by the Ministry of Religious Affairs to media in the whole world to respect the journalistic ethics, avoid to attack religions and sacred texts or undermine the sacred.
Ministry of Religious Affairs describes as "heinous crime" attack against "Charlie Hebdo" magazine
I READ with increasing distaste the anti-Catholic rant by Joe Riley (Cardinal sin is hypocrisy, ECHO March 7).
Attack on Catholics; You Say Email:letters@liverpoolecho.co.uk
Having committed the cardinal sin of volunteering my services, as a serving soldier, I was to suffer!
Waiting for medal; LETTERS
The 18th-century replica stone bust, entitled Cardinal Sin, has had its face sawn off and replaced with bathroom tiles.
Banksy coup for gallery
"A Cardinal Sin" is the story of a family and the generations leading up to World War II.
Margaret's Bookshelf