10-22-2020, 10:07 PM
(This post was last modified: 10-22-2020, 10:18 PM by Drunk Monk.)
This is dictionary of words that have twisted from their original meanings. It’s an examination of root words and origins, one of my favorite topics. The author is a bit trite - uses ‘of course’ too much and will occasionally drop some crazy word I’ve never read before, but he builds on his discussions well even though the list is alphabetical. I enjoyed the journey and may read it again because many words didn’t stick given the random nature of the work.
‘Doom’ was originally a law. He traces its origins to a 1065 chronicle. It is related to the verb ‘do’ and connected to ‘dom’ like kingdom and martyrdom. Old English courtrooms were doom-halls and judges were doomsmen. Being judged evolved to connotations of failure, death and destruction. Sadly this was one of the less entertaining definitions. Some better ones were buxom which originally meant obedient, algebra which meant bone-setting surgery, flirt meant sneer, nice meant ignorant. A fun light read. LAW
Recommended.
‘Doom’ was originally a law. He traces its origins to a 1065 chronicle. It is related to the verb ‘do’ and connected to ‘dom’ like kingdom and martyrdom. Old English courtrooms were doom-halls and judges were doomsmen. Being judged evolved to connotations of failure, death and destruction. Sadly this was one of the less entertaining definitions. Some better ones were buxom which originally meant obedient, algebra which meant bone-setting surgery, flirt meant sneer, nice meant ignorant. A fun light read. LAW
Recommended.
Shadow boxing the apocalypse