Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • phrase literally A "happy fault" or "fortunate fall".
  • phrase literary A series of miserable events will eventually lead to a happier outcome.
  • phrase religion The Biblical story of the fall of Adam and Eve and the loss of the Garden of Eden, known theologically as the source of original sin - meaning that this loss of innocence was a fortunate fall because of the good that would come from it, that is, Christian redemption and the eventual hope of Heaven.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Latin fēlīx culpa ("happy fault"), in Roman Catholic theology.

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Examples

  • Now that it is clear for anyone with a brain to see that Greg KKKorte was lying about Smitherman, o felix culpa now wants to talk about the Enquirer's coverage of the Mayoral campaign in general.

    Another Enquirer Reporter's Bias Exposed Nathaniel Livingston 2005

Comments

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  • Latin, literally "happy fault."

    Allusively: the Fall of Man or the sin of Adam as resulting in the blessedness of the Redemption. Frequently, in transferred sense: an apparent error or tragedy which has happy consequences.

    August 8, 2008