Apostasy — A Vocabulary Story
Luca and the Blue Scarf
Everyone in Luca's family supported Rovers. Dad had a Rovers mug, a Rovers hat and a Rovers hot water bottle. Luca's big brother Enzo slept under a Rovers duvet. Even the doormat said WELCOME, ROVERS FANS.
So when Luca walked into the kitchen wearing a bright blue United scarf, Dad dropped his toast.
"Apostasy!" gasped Enzo, pointing with a spoon. "In our own kitchen!"
Apostasy means the abandonment or renunciation of a religious belief. It also means giving up of a strongly held principle, cause, or loyalty.
"United have a better goalkeeper," said Luca calmly. "He once saved three penalties in one match. With his face."
Dad pressed a hand to his heart as if the scarf had personally insulted him. "Fifty years," he whispered. "Fifty years this family has cheered for Rovers, and now this... this apostasy at breakfast time."
"It's just a scarf," said Luca.
"It is never just a scarf," said Enzo darkly.
On Saturday, they all watched the match together. Rovers played United. Luca cheered for the blue team, alone on his end of the sofa, while Dad and Enzo groaned at every United pass. Then, in the final minute, the United goalkeeper leapt sideways and saved a rocket of a shot — with his face, exactly as promised.
There was a long silence.
"That," said Dad slowly, "was quite a save."
The next morning, Luca found Dad peering at a blue scarf in a shop window.
"Apostasy?" Luca whispered, grinning.
Dad went pink. "I'm just looking," he said, and walked away very, very quickly.
Word Definition
apostasy
meaning
the abandonment or renunciation of a religious belief; the giving up of a strongly held principle, cause, or loyalty
synonyms
defection · renunciation · desertion · betrayal · disloyalty
antonyms
loyalty · faithfulness
example sentence
His apostasy shocked the members of the church.