Etymology is the study of the origins of words.
As languages develop the meaning of words can change over time. This causes confusion and misunderstanding when communicating with other people.
In a world were you make a living at communicating, advertising or marketing, it is not only important to have clarity in your message, it is also important to think of your target market and understand how they understand words and messages.
On the positive side that words change meaning over time, it has been noted that languages that stay alive, adapt and grow over time.
An example would be the word nice. Nice used to be an insult and meant foolish or stupid in the 13th century and it went through many changes right through to the 18th century with meanings like wanton, extravagant, elegant, strange, modest, thin, and shy or coy. Now it means a good & pleasing or thoughtful & kind.
Silly meant blessed or happy in the 11th century and went through pious, innocent, harmless, pitiable and feeble minded before ending up as foolish or stupid.
Pretty started as crafty this changed to clever or skillfully made, then to fine and ended up as beautiful.
Some other changes are:
Word ______ Original Meaning
Awful________ Deserving of awe
Bead _________Prayer
Brave_________ Cowardice (as in bravado)
Girl__________ Young person of either sex
Neck_________ Parcel of land (as in neck of the woods)
Nuisance______ Injury, harm
Sophisticated___Corrupted
There are several reasons for words change meaning. One is the influence of other languages and cultures. Throughout history, many nations through conquering or intermixing with one another, introduced their own languages into the mix. Another reason is the predominate use of slang words. We get so used to using them that many times we forget that we even are.
So when it comes to defining words, there is the standard dictonary, which by the way can show multiple meanings for one word, and there is the definition of the word in slang. As well, slang words spread faster and are used more often than before, making them common place in many societies.
Due to the advancement of science and technology, new words are also being created at an amazing rate. Keeping up with some of the new words and your usage of them will help in your efforts understand and to become a master communicator.
Once every ten years, the Merriam- Webster dictionary is updated. Their 11th edition for 2003 included some 10,000 new words along with 100,000 new meanings to words already existing and some 225,00 revised definitions.
Some of the slang words that have made it in the dictionary are;
Headbanger- a hard rock musician and a fan
Dead presidents- Paper currency
Prairie Gophering ? people who peer above their cubicles at work.
McJob- Low paying and dead-end work.
Comb-over- an attempt to cover a bald spot
You can learn about more words in an etymology dictionary.
We can use this as another reminder, especially when it is important to have a group goal achieved, that what a word means to us, may not have the same meaning to someone else.
There is also the emotional reactions that different people have to certain words. But that's another story...
All the Best!
Maria Boomhower
The Master Communicator
http://www.falconfreedom.com
http://www.falconfreedom.com
Ezine sign-up http://www.falconfreedom.com
P.S. If you like what you're reading in this ezine, you'll love the book,
"Overcoming Barriers to Communication."
It's a manual that helps you overcome the challengers that start with Intrapersonal to Interpersonal and on to Mass Communication.
http://www.falconfreedom.com
Aren't you tired of hearing how extremely easy it is... Read More
Early in my career as a public relations consultant, I... Read More
If you're seeking to promote yourself or your new business... Read More
As someone with expertise in media relations, I've been asked... Read More
Etymology is the study of the origins of words.As languages... Read More
If I were coaching you as a business, non-profit or... Read More
Financial planners, the first thing to know about reporters is... Read More
It's hard to imagine a reporter working today who doesn't... Read More
Prior to launching a new public relations campaign, evaluate the... Read More
The toughest thing about writing a news release is getting... Read More
Small Business Owners should send press releases out at least... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager, why continue a... Read More
Commit this to memory, please: To get in the media,... Read More
As the kids say, how cool is this?You're a business,... Read More
? Don't wear all black. You'll look as though you're... Read More
Everyone has something that drives them up a wall. You... Read More
Do you have a great idea for a story, but... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager, your public relations... Read More
The media need you. Need the information and expertise you... Read More
Redevelopment is replacing new construction throughout the Greater Boston area,... Read More
Things are pleasant for many business, non-profit or association managers... Read More
Most business, non-profit and association managers live to tell about... Read More
They can when they invest in the basics. The best... Read More
China's media is booming creating opportunities for marketing-savvy businesses. But... Read More
Can your PR do something positive about the behaviors of... Read More
tidy up service Buffalo Grove ..Media management has become one of the strategic tools for... Read More
Think that you aren't big enough for national media coverage?... Read More
When most people think about marketing, they think advertising. While... Read More
News releases are not the best way to get major... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager, what do you... Read More
What is bad PR?Well, if you're a business, non-profit or... Read More
Most small businesses have logo'ed shirts, usually polo shirts with... Read More
Decide once and for all to do something about those... Read More
About a year ago I read a feature story in... Read More
Did you Know That Even TV Remote Control Units... Read More
I've worked in media and public relations for 20 years,... Read More
Etymology is the study of the origins of words.As languages... Read More
Just because a publication is small doesn't mean that getting... Read More
When outside audiences important to your operation do not understand... Read More
We'd all like reporters to ask us about our career... Read More
As eyes look forward to a new business year, many... Read More
Public relations and news releases are synonymous in the minds... Read More
NOTE: Brad Phillips was a Producer for CNN's The Capital... Read More
One portion of your marketing plan that you probably don't... Read More
When it comes to launching a new business or product,... Read More
Business, non-profit and association managers get a ton of satisfaction... Read More
Created properly, an extremely effective marketing tool.It's a great concept,... Read More
Think for a moment! If you were to do a... Read More
You have a story to tell. Your company has developed... Read More
Everything, that is, if you ignore those folks whose behaviors... Read More
Public Relations |