As clichéd as this may sound, English is a funny language. English words, as we know have been borrowed from various languages around the globe. They have been contorted and modified to our liking. This is the concept behind etymology. While some words have pretty straightforward origins, there are some which leave us baffled. After all, it is not common knowledge that the humble china-ware in our house has something to do with pigs. Little do we realise that the spirits that make our Saturday evenings fun are related to Arabic eye-liners or that the word weird meant destiny. These are 10 fairly common words, with rather fascinating origins –
10. Weird
Today ‘weird’ means strange or supernatural. Weird as this may sound, it once meant ‘fate' or 'destiny’
Etymology: Weird was known as wyrd in Old English and it meant ‘fate’ or ‘destiny’. Wyrd in turn came from Proto-Germanic wurđíz. Its Proto-Indo-Eurpoean root is wurt which means ‘to come to pass’ or ‘become’.
Foundation: The modern word ‘weird’ was developed from its use in medieval English. In Germanic mythology, there were Goddesses known as Norns who governed human fate or destiny. They were known as the ‘Weird sisters of three fates’, or the ‘Three witches’.
Shakespeare’s Macbeth made ‘the three witches’ popular by describing them as odd and frightening, giving birth to the word ‘weird’.
9. Cretin
The dictionary states that a cretin is a person with deficiency of thyroid hormones, or as we say – a stupid idiot. Well, far from all this, it actually meant ‘Christian’ in the past.
Etymology: Cretin is most commonly believed to be derived from crestin, a word from the Alpine dialect in France. Furthermore, crestin was obtained from Latin christianus which means ‘a regular guy’.
Foundation: People with dwarfism in certain regions of French Alps were called Crestins – a word which originated from christianus, Latin for ‘Christian’. Back in those days, anyone in general was referred to as a ‘Christian’ and it essentially meant ‘a regular or poor fellow’. Now the idea behind this particular etymology was to signify that those affected by Cretinism were just regular people, and were supposed to be treated the same.
We may call a cretin a deformed person with thyroid problems. However, as far as etymology, and of course, morals are concerned; a cretin is just a regular fellow.
8. Slave
A slave today is known is a person who is the legal property of another and is forced to obey them. However, it referred to a Slav (Central/Eastern European people) in the past.
Etymology: Slave comes from the Old French word esclave, which is further obtained from Medieval Latin Sclavus. The latter is ultimately derived from the Byzantine-Greek Sklavos.
Foundation: Skalvos was in reference to the Slavs, people from central and eastern European speaking Slavic languages. During the medieval period, in times of wars, many Slavs were captured, sold, and enslaved under the Byzantine and Roman Empire. The westerners caught wind of such Slav trade, and the word slave came in to being.
Hence, the Slavs and their misfortunes gave rise to the English word ‘Slave’. It’s a common misconception that ‘Slav’ originated from ‘Slave’, but we now know that it’s exactly the opposite.
Etymology: Slave comes from the Old French word esclave, which is further obtained from Medieval Latin Sclavus. The latter is ultimately derived from the Byzantine-Greek Sklavos.
Foundation: Skalvos was in reference to the Slavs, people from central and eastern European speaking Slavic languages. During the medieval period, in times of wars, many Slavs were captured, sold, and enslaved under the Byzantine and Roman Empire. The westerners caught wind of such Slav trade, and the word slave came in to being.
Hence, the Slavs and their misfortunes gave rise to the English word ‘Slave’. It’s a common misconception that ‘Slav’ originated from ‘Slave’, but we now know that it’s exactly the opposite.
7. Quarantine
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| Quarantine Ship – ‘Rhin’ |
The word ‘quarantine’ means ‘a strict isolation imposed to prevent the spread of disease’. It previously represented the number ‘forty’.
Etymology: While quarantine seems to have multiple etymologies, the most fascinating and relevant one comes from the Italian quarantina, which means the number forty. Quarantina has its origin in the Latin word quadraginta.
Foundation: In the medieval ages, especially during the cursed period of the plague epidemic, ships were mandated to be kept off shore for a term of quarantina giorni (Italian for ‘forty days’). The crew and all the people on the ship would be kept off shore, on the ship or on a local island to see if they were affected by the epidemic. This was done as a precautionary measure to avoid the spread of the disease on land.
As a result of this, the word ‘quarantine’ was coined in English.
6. Alcohol
As we all know, alcohol needs no introduction. However, this enchanting beverage once meant finely powdered eyeliner.
Etymology: Alcohol, which has a Latin origin, was known as alcofol in the early 15th century and it meant ‘fine powdered ore of antimony’. It is ultimately derived from the Arabic al kuhl – a powder used as eyeliner.
Foundation: Al kuhl was held in high regard for its finesse and usefulness. Besides eyeliners, it was used in several cosmetics too. At times, other powder of similar ilk and obtained by the process of sublimation or distillation came to be known as al kuhl. As a consequence, alcohol was called the same, being distilled, exalted and fine.
This made way for the word ‘alcohol’ in the present-day English dictionary.
Etymology: Alcohol, which has a Latin origin, was known as alcofol in the early 15th century and it meant ‘fine powdered ore of antimony’. It is ultimately derived from the Arabic al kuhl – a powder used as eyeliner.
Foundation: Al kuhl was held in high regard for its finesse and usefulness. Besides eyeliners, it was used in several cosmetics too. At times, other powder of similar ilk and obtained by the process of sublimation or distillation came to be known as al kuhl. As a consequence, alcohol was called the same, being distilled, exalted and fine.
This made way for the word ‘alcohol’ in the present-day English dictionary.
5. Muscle
Animal or human tissue consisting predominantly of contractile cells is referred to as muscle, or simply put, something most of us wish we had. In olden times though, it was just a mouse.
Etymology: Muscle comes from the French word muscle which is derived from the Latin mūsculus. The interesting point here is that mūsculus literally translates to ‘little mouse’.
Foundation: ‘Muscle’ came to be known so because the muscles resemble a mouse running inside the skin when one flexes them. This likeness is also supported in Greek, where both ‘muscle’ and ‘mouse’ are both known by a single word – mys. Another interesting fact is that the combination form of both gives us the prefix– myo which is used in the medical field.
So, English adopted the word ‘muscle’. Go on; flex those biceps to summon little mice.
Etymology: Muscle comes from the French word muscle which is derived from the Latin mūsculus. The interesting point here is that mūsculus literally translates to ‘little mouse’.
Foundation: ‘Muscle’ came to be known so because the muscles resemble a mouse running inside the skin when one flexes them. This likeness is also supported in Greek, where both ‘muscle’ and ‘mouse’ are both known by a single word – mys. Another interesting fact is that the combination form of both gives us the prefix– myo which is used in the medical field.
So, English adopted the word ‘muscle’. Go on; flex those biceps to summon little mice.
4. Trivia
Since we are doing trivia, it would be a shame to leave the word out. Trivia is nothing but information of little consequence, or as ancient Italians called it – a three way.
Etymology: Trivia comes from the Latin word trivia (singular – trivium) and stands for ‘triple way’ (tri – triple, via – way).
Foundation: Trivium is Latin for ‘crossroads’ or ‘junction’. In olden times, there were certain forms of kiosks in parts of Italy that held secondary information. These kiosks were placed at three ways – trivia. The information was also known as trivia due to its location. Also, it wasn’t particularly valuable or interesting. Subsequently, trivia came to mean information of little value.
This idea stuck, and the word ‘Trivia’ was adopted by English.
Etymology: Trivia comes from the Latin word trivia (singular – trivium) and stands for ‘triple way’ (tri – triple, via – way).
Foundation: Trivium is Latin for ‘crossroads’ or ‘junction’. In olden times, there were certain forms of kiosks in parts of Italy that held secondary information. These kiosks were placed at three ways – trivia. The information was also known as trivia due to its location. Also, it wasn’t particularly valuable or interesting. Subsequently, trivia came to mean information of little value.
This idea stuck, and the word ‘Trivia’ was adopted by English.
3. Sinister
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| The Heraldic Escutcheon: Dexter–right; Sinister–left |
Wicked, harmful, malicious – call it what you may, sinister just meant left handedness back in the past.
Etymology: Sinister comes from the Latin word sinistra which means left. Its counterpart Dexter is obtained from the Latin dexter, meaning right. Sinistra is dexter’s antonym, thus forming the pair dexter-sinistra which means right-left.
Foundation: Now in ancient times, when superstition was as believable as science is today, left handedness was considered to be evil. Right was literally right and stood for everything good. Consequently, dexter came to be known for good – dexterity meant skillfulness and artfulness in English. It is quite ironic though; that the creators of the famous television show ‘Dexter’ would name their protagonist so, considering that he’s a serial killer.
On the other hand, Sinistra gained an infamous status for being unlucky and ominous, and this trend continued in English too, where evil means sinister.
2. Assassin
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| Hassan-i-Sabbah |
An Assassin is a man who murders prominent people. Long ago, it meant ‘extract of cannabis plant — hash’. Both remain illegal activities till date.
Etymology: Assassin is considered to be derived from Hashshashin, a Persian word which has its roots in another word – hashish. Hashish is the source of ‘hash’, a widely-known drug.
Foundation: The etymology, though widely debated, is still an interesting one. A group of Shi’ite Muslims known as Nizaris, first led by Hassan-i-Sabbah existed in and around the 10th century A.D. They were known for killing many Islamic and Christian leaders and groups for reasons both political and religious. In doing so, they were believed to be using hash, which made them hash users or hashishiyya.
This evolved in to Hashshashin, and English turned it in to the word ‘assassin’.
Etymology: Assassin is considered to be derived from Hashshashin, a Persian word which has its roots in another word – hashish. Hashish is the source of ‘hash’, a widely-known drug.
Foundation: The etymology, though widely debated, is still an interesting one. A group of Shi’ite Muslims known as Nizaris, first led by Hassan-i-Sabbah existed in and around the 10th century A.D. They were known for killing many Islamic and Christian leaders and groups for reasons both political and religious. In doing so, they were believed to be using hash, which made them hash users or hashishiyya.
This evolved in to Hashshashin, and English turned it in to the word ‘assassin’.
1. Porcelain
Porcelain today means ‘A white vitrified translucent ceramic’. That is after the Italian’s stopped associating it with a pig’s vulva.
Etymology: Porcelain comes from the French word porcelain, which comes from the Italian porcellana.
Foundation: Word for word, porcellana means ‘cowrie shell’ which has a strong similarity with porcelain’s glossy surface. While this may seem convenient, it is fascinating to note that porcellana has its roots in porcella, which means a young sow (sow is a female pig). This is because a cowrie shell’s opening takes after the pig’s exposed genitalia.
This distorted analogy led to the etymology of the shiny piece of china that we call porcelain. Well, things definitely won’t be the same when we look at that piece of porcelain again.
Etymology: Porcelain comes from the French word porcelain, which comes from the Italian porcellana.
Foundation: Word for word, porcellana means ‘cowrie shell’ which has a strong similarity with porcelain’s glossy surface. While this may seem convenient, it is fascinating to note that porcellana has its roots in porcella, which means a young sow (sow is a female pig). This is because a cowrie shell’s opening takes after the pig’s exposed genitalia.
This distorted analogy led to the etymology of the shiny piece of china that we call porcelain. Well, things definitely won’t be the same when we look at that piece of porcelain again.
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Hey keep posting such good and meaningful articles.
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