Originally, the term cabal was pronounced with emphasis on the first syllable, similar to Kabul, and it simply meant “small private gathering” without any negative connotations. Its popularity grew in England in the early 1670s, when King Charles II’s ministry consisted of politicians known as Clifford, Arlington, Buckingham, Ashley, and Lauderdale, collectively referred to as the “Cabal ministry.” This group was viewed as a powerful and potentially dangerous organized faction, leading to the evolution of the term’s meaning. The word cabal has its origins in French, where it could signify a gathering or the mystical Jewish interpretation of the Bible now known as Kabbalah. Due to its association with a small group practicing esoteric beliefs, the term’s definition expanded to encompass any secretive faction before narrowing once more. Ultimately, through Latin cabbala, the word can be traced back to Hebrew kabala, which translates to “something received.”
