I'm greek and assuming that this word is based on the greek word "αφορισμός", just like the article states, I find the description very confussing and inaccurate. In everyday's speech the word is used to indicate the action of the church to punish someone by banning him from christianity. Over the time the word began to be used to threaten someone in a manner simillar to when saying "I will curse you". I.e. Knowing that it is not an actual threat but still using it. It is mostly used while joking when someone says something against church's orders even when both persons do not believe in church. User:Sharhalakis - 2012-09-30