limbus
limbus
Latin via theology
“The edge of Hell became a dance, a state of uncertainty, and a forgotten theological doctrine.”
Limbus in Latin means 'edge' or 'border.' Medieval theologians created 'Limbo' as the edge of Hell — where unbaptized infants and righteous pre-Christians waited, excluded from Heaven but not suffering.
The doctrine was never official Catholic teaching, but it became popular. Limbo explained what happened to good people who died before Christ or without baptism.
The Caribbean dance 'limbo' (how low can you go?) probably comes from English 'limber' — but some see a connection to the spiritual limbo, a transitional state between earth and the afterlife.
Today 'limbo' mostly means uncertainty: projects in limbo, deals in limbo. The theological meaning has almost disappeared, especially since 2007 when the Vatican downplayed the concept.
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Today
Limbo's theological meaning has faded — most people don't know about unbaptized infants at Hell's edge.
But 'in limbo' perfectly names modern uncertainty. Projects, relationships, applications — all can be stuck at the edge, waiting.
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