Evolution teaches us the original purpose of language was to ritualize men's threats and curses, his spells to compel the gods; communication came later. Gene Wolfe
Historically, the original purpose of the theory of probability was to describe the exceedingly narrow domain of experience connected with games of chance, and the main effort was directed to the calculation of certain probabilities. William Feller
MACE, n. A staff of office signifying authority. Its form, that of a heavy club, indicates its original purpose and use in dissuading from dissent. Ambrose Bierce