Say What?

Have you ever thought of the fact that language is simply sounds made in certain orders that we as humans have agreed refer to specific meanings?

We have used some of these words for so long that their intended meanings have been forgotten. 

Today I will be addressing some common words you might not know the meaning behind. While most words have meanings behind them, some are mistranslations or slang adopted as “real words.”

For example, everyone knows what Whiskey is, but did you know that it comes from a mistranslation of an old Gaelic word?

First translated from the Latin words aqua vitae, meaning “water of life,” 

which referred to a type of distilled alcohol. Later on it was adapted into Old Irish as uisce (water) beatha (life). When this was translated into Old English, it was pronounced as “whiskeybae,” and later shortened to “Whiskey.”

Here’s a popular word that derived from a 14th Century myth. If you guessed “Nightmare” then you get a gold star!

This creepy word started as the word mære which was an Old English word that referred to a female spirit that was said to suffocate people in their sleep. If that doesn’t give you nightmares I’m not sure what will…

Later on, the word was used to refer to the feeling of terror that this spirit would place upon unsuspecting sleepers (shudder). 

Some words that we use today had entirely different back when they were first used. For example, “nice” is a combination of the words ne (meaning not), and scire (meaning to know.) The word originally referred to someone who is silly, careless, or ignorant. 

Maybe keep this in mind next time someone says they are “a nice guy?”

Ever heard of the phrase ‘a biting comment?” If not maybe you have heard of a more common word called “sarcasm?” No this isn’t the punchline to a dumb joke. 

Sarcasm is based on the greek word “sarkazein”  which meant to tear the flesh (ouch). Now this “bitting” is more metaphorical, but sometimes that can sting just as sharply. 

These are just a few examples that I found interesting, but there are many more! Would you like a part two?

Comment some of the words you would like to know the meaning behind in the comments below!