English
Etymology
The origin of the term can be traced back to the New Testament of the Bible. In both Gospel of Mark and Matthew, Jesus condemns those who have been using the sacred temple as a marketplace, proclaiming that they have "made it a den of thieves." To this day, writers use the word "den" to mean a place where iniquitous activities are carried out.
The exact idiom den of iniquity does not appear in written English until the 20th century.
Noun
en-noun|sgden of iniquity|pldens of iniquity
- idiom A place of immoral behavior, usually of a sexual type.
Usage notes
The song "In Our Little Den of Iniquity" from the 1940s musical "Pal Joey" is an early example. It refers to a secret hideaway for romantic rendezvous. Used more solemnly, the expression "den of iniquity" implies a certain discernment that a morally upright person would consider intolerable.
Quotations
1944 � w:Robert E. Howard|Robert E. Howard, s:Texas John Alden|Texas John Alden
Category:English phrases
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