The Power of Defenestration: A History of Political Upheaval and Modern-Day Metaphors

Defenestration is a term that originated in the 17th century and refers to the act of throwing someone or something out of a window. The word is derived from the Latin word "fenestra," which means "window."

In history, defenestration has been used as a political tool to remove unwanted leaders or officials from power. For example, in 1618, the Defenestration of Prague was a significant event that sparked the Thirty Years' War, when Protestant nobles threw two Catholic officials out of a window in Prague, leading to a wave of religious conflicts across Europe.

In modern times, defenestration is often used metaphorically to describe the act of removing someone from a position of power or influence, often in a sudden and dramatic manner. For example, a company might "defenestrate" a CEO who is not performing well, or a government might "defenestrate" a corrupt official by removing them from office.

Overall, defenestration is a powerful word that can be used to describe both historical events and modern-day political maneuvers.