Festus says the Romans called victims wholly consumed by fire prodigæ hostiæ (victims prodigalised), and adds that those who
waste their substance are therefore called prodigals. This derivation
can hardly be considered correct. Prodigal is pro-ago or prod-igo (to drive forth), and persons who had spent all their
patrimony were “driven forth” to be sold as slaves to their creditors.
Albert VI., Duke of Austria. (1418-1463.)
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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