caveat emptor A Latin phrase meaning let the buyer beware, used to mean the idea that a buyer must not assume that the quality of a purchase is guaranteed . Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited ...
The meaning "case for safe-keeping" (of papers, liquor, etc.) is from 1540s, gradually shading to mean a piece of furniture that does this. The sense of "private room where advisers meet" (c. 1600) led to the modern political meaning "an executive council" (1640s); perhaps originally...
If a cave man had happened upon it he would have no conception of its meaning or value, and as a consequence it would be lost or destroyed in short order. It didn't mean much to the fellow, who doubt-less had but little better idea of the contents of the document I had been sent...