Etymology is endlessly fascinating. Check out: "Reading the OED: One Man, One Year, 21,730 Pages" "Good Words to You: An All-New Dictionary and Native's Guide to the Unknown American Language" by John Ciardi Or this must listen to Public Radio show: http://www.waywordradio.org/ Dilapidate literally means "to shed stones" Think about it :-) di·lap·i·date