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The English Crux

The surprising meanings behind everyday words

theenglishcrux

theenglishcrux:
“ Lemur Lemur - “spirit of the dead” (la.)
From latin “lemures” meaning “spirits of the dead.” The ghostlike appearance of the animal’s face most likely contributed to its naming.
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LemurLemur - “spirit of the dead” (la.)
From latin “lemures” meaning “spirits of the dead.” The ghostlike appearance of the animal’s face most likely contributed to its naming. — Lemur
Lemur - “spirit of the dead” (la.)
From latin “lemures” meaning “spirits of the dead.” The ghostlike appearance of the animal’s face most likely contributed to its naming.

etymology english latin words word origins language languages lemur animals history

Hydrate Hydrate - “water yourself”
If there was ever a good example of the bastardization of the English language, it can be found in words relating to H2O still being used in common speech. We have Greek hydr (hydrate), Latin Aqua (aquatic,... — Hydrate
Hydrate - “water yourself”
If there was ever a good example of the bastardization of the English language, it can be found in words relating to H2O still being used in common speech. We have Greek hydr (hydrate), Latin Aqua (aquatic, aquamarine), Germanic waeter (water) and Russian vodka (little water).

etymology language languages linguistics history art word origins english russian latin greek germanic

AccentAccent - “putting song to words” (la.)
From Latin accentus “song added to speech,” from ad- “to” + cantus “a singing.” An accented voice is literally music to the ears. OED — Accent
Accent - “putting song to words” (la.)
From Latin accentus “song added to speech,” from ad- “to” + cantus “a singing.” An accented voice is literally music to the ears. OED

etymology language languages linguistics english latin word origins words history accents

Girl Girl - “chatterbox”
Misogyny or observation? Etymologists believe the word “girl” may stem from Latin “garrula” meaning chatterbox from Latin verb “garrire” meaning to talk about nothing. Other theories include Greek “koure” (young maiden) and... — Girl
Girl - “chatterbox”
Misogyny or observation? Etymologists believe the word “girl” may stem from Latin “garrula” meaning chatterbox from Latin verb “garrire” meaning to talk about nothing. Other theories include Greek “koure” (young maiden) and Old English “girdle” (piece of clothing worn by young women and taken off at marriage).
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etymology language languages linguistics latin greek english old english word origins misogyn feminism

ParentParent - “to bring forth” (lat.)
From Latin “parere” (bring forth). Similar words from this same origin include appear (item brought forth), transparent (light brought through) and apparent (truth brought forth).
Img//Word — Parent
Parent - “to bring forth” (lat.)
From Latin “parere” (bring forth). Similar words from this same origin include appear (item brought forth), transparent (light brought through) and apparent (truth brought forth).
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etymology language languages linguistics word origins latin english art history

SarcasmSarcasm - “tearing flesh” (lat.)
Next time you’re wondering how deeply your sarcasm can cut, remember it literally means "to strip off the flesh.” From Latin “sarcasmus.”
Similar words - sarcophagus, sarcoma — Sarcasm
Sarcasm - “tearing flesh” (lat.)
Next time you’re wondering how deeply your sarcasm can cut, remember it literally means "to strip off the flesh.” From Latin “sarcasmus.”
Similar words - sarcophagus, sarcoma

etymology language languages linguistic word origins history latin english sarcasm

Mustard Mustard - “burning wine” (lat.)
“The name mustard comes from the Latin words ‘mustum ardens’ meaning 'burning wine’ and refers to the flavor created by the spicy heat of the crushed mustard seeds mixed with the juice of unfermented wine... — Mustard
Mustard - “burning wine” (lat.)
“The name mustard comes from the Latin words ‘mustum ardens’ meaning 'burning wine’ and refers to the flavor created by the spicy heat of the crushed mustard seeds mixed with the juice of unfermented wine grapes.”
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etymology word origins mustard language languages english latin linguistics

InfatuateInfatuate - “to become foolish”
This word, derived from latin “fatuus” (foolish), reminds us that love makes idiots of us all. — Infatuate
Infatuate - “to become foolish”
This word, derived from latin “fatuus” (foolish), reminds us that love makes idiots of us all.

etymology english latin linguistics language languages words word origins history infatuate

YodaYoda - “wisdom” (Hebrew) or “warrior” (Punjabi)
Depending on which version you ascribe to, Yoda can come from either Hebrew “Yoda'e” (wisdom, knowledge) or the primarily Pakistani language Punjabi “Yoda” (Warrior).
Each Friday on The English Crux... — Yoda
Yoda - “wisdom” (Hebrew) or “warrior” (Punjabi)
Depending on which version you ascribe to, Yoda can come from either Hebrew “Yoda'e” (wisdom, knowledge) or the primarily Pakistani language Punjabi “Yoda” (Warrior).
Each Friday on The English Crux is devoted to the etymology of famous literary characters and objects. Next Week’s word: Stark
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etymology star wars language languages word origins yoda history punjabi hebrew english

VulgarVulgar - “used by common people”
If you use vulgar language, you’re in good company. That sort of language is, etymologically, the language of the people. From Latin “vulgaris” (of or pertaining to the common people).
Img//Word — Vulgar
Vulgar - “used by common people”
If you use vulgar language, you’re in good company. That sort of language is, etymologically, the language of the people. From Latin “vulgaris” (of or pertaining to the common people).
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etymology language languages linguistics latin english word origins history vulgar art

humansofnewyork

“I had very thick hair as a child. But I was also very tender-headed, so I hated getting my hair combed. The first time my mother took me to the salon, I screamed bloody murder. So for the rest of my childhood she did my hair herself. And it always... — “I had very thick hair as a child. But I was also very tender-headed, so I hated getting my hair combed. The first time my mother took me to the salon, I screamed bloody murder. So for the rest of my childhood she did my hair herself. And it always looked good. I grew to believe that my hair was my best quality. I could have on my best make-up, and my best outfit, but if my hair wasn’t done right, the whole thing was off. After college my boyfriend discovered the first bald spot on the back of my head. Soon afterwards I was diagnosed with an auto-immune condition. The doctor told me that I could eventually lose all of my hair. I was devastated. I immediately called my mother, and she told me we were going to fight it. We prayed and prayed. We kept finding new oils and new shampoos. But the bald spot only grew bigger. My mother started doing my hair again, just like when I was a kid. And whenever a new spot appeared, she’d invent a new style to hide it. For the longest time no one knew. But it was so much stress. I’d panic if someone was behind me in the elevator. Dating was the worst. It was like: ‘Oh my gosh. How am I going to keep this a secret?’ Some mornings I’d call my mom in a moment of desperation. I’d tell her: ‘I can’t do this anymore. I’m going to shave it off.’ But she’d talk me out of it. She’d tell me: ‘Don’t worry. We’re going to figure this out.’ But we never did. It only got worse and worse. By the age of thirty-one I was in a really dark place. And I decided to go on a fast because I needed some clarity from God. And that’s when I made the decision. The first person I told was my mom. She’d been telling me not to do it for so long, because she was scared too. But I needed her to be OK with it. I needed her to finish this journey with me. Everyone in the hair salon was nervous. The person in the next chair was nervous. Even the hairdresser was nervous. She was like: ‘Do you really want to do this?’ But then she took out the clippers, and began to shave it off. My mother was the first one to break the silence. After the first pass of the clippers, she looked closely at my head. And then she announced to the whole salon: ‘It’s going to look good!’”