David Tickner's Blog, page 45
July 19, 2020
Respect
To see or to look again. To paraphrase the old carpentry adage: look twice, then act.
The verb ‘to respect’ has its origins in Proto-Indo-European (PIE) spek (to observe) and Latin specere (to look at). Add Latin re- (back to the original place, again, anew, once more) to specere and you get respicere (to look back at, regard, consider) and later respectere.
The noun respect (e.g., as a relationship of respect or regard) is from the late 14th century. The verb ‘to respect’ comes to English through medieval French respecter in the 1550s. The notion of respect as a feeling of esteem based upon the actions or attributes of someone or something or as the courteous or considerate treatment due to personal worth or power are from the 1580s. The term ‘self-respect’ is from 1795.
PIE spek is also the root of words such as aspect, auspices, auspicious, circumspect, despicable, espy, expect, inspect, introspect, perspective, prospect, scope, skeptic, specimen, spectacle, spectrum, speculate, speculum, suspect, and many more.
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
The verb ‘to respect’ has its origins in Proto-Indo-European (PIE) spek (to observe) and Latin specere (to look at). Add Latin re- (back to the original place, again, anew, once more) to specere and you get respicere (to look back at, regard, consider) and later respectere.
The noun respect (e.g., as a relationship of respect or regard) is from the late 14th century. The verb ‘to respect’ comes to English through medieval French respecter in the 1550s. The notion of respect as a feeling of esteem based upon the actions or attributes of someone or something or as the courteous or considerate treatment due to personal worth or power are from the 1580s. The term ‘self-respect’ is from 1795.
PIE spek is also the root of words such as aspect, auspices, auspicious, circumspect, despicable, espy, expect, inspect, introspect, perspective, prospect, scope, skeptic, specimen, spectacle, spectrum, speculate, speculum, suspect, and many more.
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
Cosmetologist
Cosmetologist. Cosmetic. Cosmetology. These words have their origins in the Greek word kosmos (cosmos; i.e., the universe, not the flower) and in Greek stories related to the origins of the cosmos. But first, let’s back up a bit.
In the beginning, according to Greek stories, before creation, the universe was a place of primeval emptiness and disorder (e.g, as described in Hesiod’s Theogony). The Greek word for this state of the universe was khaos, the state of the universe before creation (khaos is also the origin of the word ‘gas’, but I digress). The word khaos has its origins in Greek khnwos (abyss, that which gapes wide open, that which is vast and empty) from the Proto-Indo-European root ghieh (to yawn, gape, be wide open).
A Greek account of the creation and history of the world from khaos to the time of Julius Caesar (Ovid’s 1st century CE Metamorphoses) uses the term kosmos to describe the emergence of the ordered universe. Kosmos (order, fullness) is the opposite of khaos (disorder, emptiness).
Greek kosmos is the origin of kosmein (to organize and arrange troops for battle). The word kosmein also meant to adorn, equip, and dress women. The related word kosmetikos meant skill in adornment and arrangement.
As you might expect, the word cosmetic comes from kosmetikos. The word cosmetic appears in English around 1600, meaning the art of beatifying and the art of anointing or decorating the human body. The word cosmetic, meaning a preparation for beautifying or for rendering the skin soft and pure or for improving the complexion and hair, is from the 1640s.
Cosmetology, the art or practice of beauty culture, is first seen in 1855 from French cosmétologie. The word cosmetologist (an expert in cosmetics) is from 1925. The earlier word was cosmetician (1914).
So, in brief, could we say, ahem, drum roll please, that a cosmetologist is a person who brings order to the chaos of a face?
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
In the beginning, according to Greek stories, before creation, the universe was a place of primeval emptiness and disorder (e.g, as described in Hesiod’s Theogony). The Greek word for this state of the universe was khaos, the state of the universe before creation (khaos is also the origin of the word ‘gas’, but I digress). The word khaos has its origins in Greek khnwos (abyss, that which gapes wide open, that which is vast and empty) from the Proto-Indo-European root ghieh (to yawn, gape, be wide open).
A Greek account of the creation and history of the world from khaos to the time of Julius Caesar (Ovid’s 1st century CE Metamorphoses) uses the term kosmos to describe the emergence of the ordered universe. Kosmos (order, fullness) is the opposite of khaos (disorder, emptiness).
Greek kosmos is the origin of kosmein (to organize and arrange troops for battle). The word kosmein also meant to adorn, equip, and dress women. The related word kosmetikos meant skill in adornment and arrangement.
As you might expect, the word cosmetic comes from kosmetikos. The word cosmetic appears in English around 1600, meaning the art of beatifying and the art of anointing or decorating the human body. The word cosmetic, meaning a preparation for beautifying or for rendering the skin soft and pure or for improving the complexion and hair, is from the 1640s.
Cosmetology, the art or practice of beauty culture, is first seen in 1855 from French cosmétologie. The word cosmetologist (an expert in cosmetics) is from 1925. The earlier word was cosmetician (1914).
So, in brief, could we say, ahem, drum roll please, that a cosmetologist is a person who brings order to the chaos of a face?
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
July 18, 2020
Instruction, Construction
Have you ever heard or used phrases such as ‘the clothing was strewn all over the room’ or ‘the park was strewn with litter after the long weekend’?
The word strewn comes from the ancient Proto-Indo-European root streu, stere (to spread; streu is also the root of straw).
The words instruct and construct both come from this PIE root. Construct and instruct both mean taking that which is ‘spread around’ and bringing structure and order to the chaos. Perhaps construction could be considered as an ‘exterior’ structuring and instruction could be considered an ‘interior’ structuring.
The Latin prefix in- (on) + struere forms instruere (to arrange, prepare, set in order; inform, teach) and instructionem (an array, an arrangement). Later, Latin instructionem had evolved to mean teaching. From these sources, comes 14th century Old French instruccion (instruction) and by the 1400s the word instruccion (the action or process of teaching) had come to English. It is worth noting how little the word changed over the centuries—from generation to generation instruction has always more or less been instruction.
What is the difference between teaching and instructing? Generally, teaching means imparting or delivering knowledge (like delivering a load of something). On the other hand, instructing, means not only imparting or delivering knowledge, but emphasizes the orderly arrangement of the things taught.
The Latin prefix con- (with, together) + struere (to pile up) forms construere (to pile up together, to accumulate, to build, make erect) and constructionem (a putting or placing together, the act of building). This word came to English in the late 14th century as construccion and is later seen as construction. From the early 15th century construction meant the act of building or making. By 1707, the word meant a way or form in which a thing is built or made and by 1796 the word meant that which is constructed, a structure. Also, from these sources, come the words construe and the philosophy of constructivism.
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
The word strewn comes from the ancient Proto-Indo-European root streu, stere (to spread; streu is also the root of straw).
The words instruct and construct both come from this PIE root. Construct and instruct both mean taking that which is ‘spread around’ and bringing structure and order to the chaos. Perhaps construction could be considered as an ‘exterior’ structuring and instruction could be considered an ‘interior’ structuring.
The Latin prefix in- (on) + struere forms instruere (to arrange, prepare, set in order; inform, teach) and instructionem (an array, an arrangement). Later, Latin instructionem had evolved to mean teaching. From these sources, comes 14th century Old French instruccion (instruction) and by the 1400s the word instruccion (the action or process of teaching) had come to English. It is worth noting how little the word changed over the centuries—from generation to generation instruction has always more or less been instruction.
What is the difference between teaching and instructing? Generally, teaching means imparting or delivering knowledge (like delivering a load of something). On the other hand, instructing, means not only imparting or delivering knowledge, but emphasizes the orderly arrangement of the things taught.
The Latin prefix con- (with, together) + struere (to pile up) forms construere (to pile up together, to accumulate, to build, make erect) and constructionem (a putting or placing together, the act of building). This word came to English in the late 14th century as construccion and is later seen as construction. From the early 15th century construction meant the act of building or making. By 1707, the word meant a way or form in which a thing is built or made and by 1796 the word meant that which is constructed, a structure. Also, from these sources, come the words construe and the philosophy of constructivism.
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
Cook, Chef
Cook
The word cook has its origins in the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root pekw (to cook, to ripen) and Latin coquus, coquere (to cook, prepare food, ripen, digest, turn over in the mind). From these sources come Latin cocus (cook), Old English coc, and the English word cook (one whose occupation is the preparing and cooking of food).
Other Germanic words from Latin for cook include Old Saxon kok, Old High German choh, German Koch, and Swedish kock.
Also, PIE pekw is also the source of many words including apricot, biscuit, charcuterie, concoct, cuisine, culinary, kitchen, precocious, pumpkin, ricotta, and others.
Chef
The word chef (head cook) is first seen in English in 1842 and comes from French chef, short for chef de cuisine (head of the kitchen), from Old French chief (leader, ruler, head).
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
The word cook has its origins in the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root pekw (to cook, to ripen) and Latin coquus, coquere (to cook, prepare food, ripen, digest, turn over in the mind). From these sources come Latin cocus (cook), Old English coc, and the English word cook (one whose occupation is the preparing and cooking of food).
Other Germanic words from Latin for cook include Old Saxon kok, Old High German choh, German Koch, and Swedish kock.
Also, PIE pekw is also the source of many words including apricot, biscuit, charcuterie, concoct, cuisine, culinary, kitchen, precocious, pumpkin, ricotta, and others.
Chef
The word chef (head cook) is first seen in English in 1842 and comes from French chef, short for chef de cuisine (head of the kitchen), from Old French chief (leader, ruler, head).
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
July 17, 2020
Indigenous
The word indigenous has its beginnings in the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root gene (to give birth, to beget), the source of dozens of English words. From this root comes Latin indigena (sprung from the land, native—literally, ‘in-born’ or ‘born in’ (a place). The Latin term indigenus means to be born or to be native to a particular country, region, or area. The English word indigenous (born or originating in a particular place) is from the 1640s. In this literal sense, everyone could be considered ‘indigenous’ in relation to the place where they were born.
However, more specifically, today the term indigenous is used to describe “the ethnic groups who are the original or earliest known inhabitants of an area, in contrast to groups that have settled, occupied, or colonized the area more recently. Groups are usually described as indigenous when they maintain traditions or other aspects of an early culture that is associated with a given region.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_peoples
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
However, more specifically, today the term indigenous is used to describe “the ethnic groups who are the original or earliest known inhabitants of an area, in contrast to groups that have settled, occupied, or colonized the area more recently. Groups are usually described as indigenous when they maintain traditions or other aspects of an early culture that is associated with a given region.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_peoples
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
Comptroller
Why the ‘p’ in comptroller? What’s the difference between a comptroller and a controller?
Both words come from the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root roto, reth (to run, to roll). Think of a ‘roto’-tiller. From this PIE root comes Latin rota (wheel; and ‘rotate’) and contrarotulus (contra = against + rotulus = the roll; that is, a ‘roll call’ or ‘calling the roll’ or checking the reality against a list; e.g., “Marcellus?” “Present, sir.” Or, “Javelins?” “Check.”). A contrarotulus was a register or account book; literally a ‘rolled up’ scroll or document.
From this Latin source comes Old French contreroller (controller; to exert authority) and later French contrerole (control) and compte (an account). Okay, so how did the ‘p’ sneak in there, you might ask? It’s from Latin computare (to count) from which comes, as you might expect, the word compute. French contreroller was a medieval method of checking accounts by comparing them to a duplicate register.
By the late 14th century, the word controller (originally countrollen, meaning to check the accuracy of, to verify, to regulate) came to English from Old French contreroller and Anglo-French contrerolleour. A controller was the official in charge of the accounts in a king’s household. By the early 15th century, controller also referred to an officer who examined and managed the finances of a corporation or institution. Countrollen and controller are sources of the word control.
At this time, the word comptroller appears. Why? Some sources suggest a spelling error due to a confusion between the earlier words for ‘control’ and ‘compute’. Perhaps spelling wasn’t checked as rigorously as the financial accounts.
For the last one hundred years, various authorities have tried to eliminate the word comptroller in favor of controller but with no luck. Many organizations and institutions today still have a comptroller. Generally speaking, there is little difference between the work of a comptroller and the work of a controller.
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
Both words come from the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root roto, reth (to run, to roll). Think of a ‘roto’-tiller. From this PIE root comes Latin rota (wheel; and ‘rotate’) and contrarotulus (contra = against + rotulus = the roll; that is, a ‘roll call’ or ‘calling the roll’ or checking the reality against a list; e.g., “Marcellus?” “Present, sir.” Or, “Javelins?” “Check.”). A contrarotulus was a register or account book; literally a ‘rolled up’ scroll or document.
From this Latin source comes Old French contreroller (controller; to exert authority) and later French contrerole (control) and compte (an account). Okay, so how did the ‘p’ sneak in there, you might ask? It’s from Latin computare (to count) from which comes, as you might expect, the word compute. French contreroller was a medieval method of checking accounts by comparing them to a duplicate register.
By the late 14th century, the word controller (originally countrollen, meaning to check the accuracy of, to verify, to regulate) came to English from Old French contreroller and Anglo-French contrerolleour. A controller was the official in charge of the accounts in a king’s household. By the early 15th century, controller also referred to an officer who examined and managed the finances of a corporation or institution. Countrollen and controller are sources of the word control.
At this time, the word comptroller appears. Why? Some sources suggest a spelling error due to a confusion between the earlier words for ‘control’ and ‘compute’. Perhaps spelling wasn’t checked as rigorously as the financial accounts.
For the last one hundred years, various authorities have tried to eliminate the word comptroller in favor of controller but with no luck. Many organizations and institutions today still have a comptroller. Generally speaking, there is little difference between the work of a comptroller and the work of a controller.
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
July 16, 2020
Dean
The word dean has its origins in the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root dekm (ten), the origin of words such as decade, decimal, and decimate. From this PIE root comes Greek dekanos, deka (ten) and Latin decanus which first meant the commander of ten soldiers and later meant the head of ten monks in a monastery. From decanus comes Old French deien and 12th century doyen.
The word dean came to English in the early 14th century as an ecclesiastical title. It replaced the original Old English term teodingealdor. Try putting that on your office door!
The use of dean to refer to an administrative position in a university is from the 1520s. The use of dean to refer to someone who is the oldest member in terms of length of service in any constituted body is from the mid-15th century.
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
The word dean came to English in the early 14th century as an ecclesiastical title. It replaced the original Old English term teodingealdor. Try putting that on your office door!
The use of dean to refer to an administrative position in a university is from the 1520s. The use of dean to refer to someone who is the oldest member in terms of length of service in any constituted body is from the mid-15th century.
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
Chocolatier
A chocolatier is someone who makes chocolate confections—the English word, from French, is from 1865.
The word chocolate comes from Nahuatl (Aztecan) chocola-tl; the word chocolate bean is cacahua-tl (a-tl = water). The Aztecs made a chocolate drink with cold water. When the Spanish arrived in Mexico, they made a chocolate drink with hot water. Chocolate arrived in Spain in 1520 and ‘hot chocolate’ drinks quickly spread across Europe. The word chocolate comes to English from Mexican Spanish around 1600.
Chocolate as a reddish-brown color is from 1776. Chocolate as a paste or cake made of ground, roasted, sweetened, cacao seeds is from the 1640s. Chocolate candy is from the 1880s. Chocolate chip is from 1940.
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
The word chocolate comes from Nahuatl (Aztecan) chocola-tl; the word chocolate bean is cacahua-tl (a-tl = water). The Aztecs made a chocolate drink with cold water. When the Spanish arrived in Mexico, they made a chocolate drink with hot water. Chocolate arrived in Spain in 1520 and ‘hot chocolate’ drinks quickly spread across Europe. The word chocolate comes to English from Mexican Spanish around 1600.
Chocolate as a reddish-brown color is from 1776. Chocolate as a paste or cake made of ground, roasted, sweetened, cacao seeds is from the 1640s. Chocolate candy is from the 1880s. Chocolate chip is from 1940.
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
July 15, 2020
Chemist
Several theories exist regarding the origin of the words chemist and chemistry. One suggestion is that these words have their origins in the old Greek name for Egypt, Khemia (the land of black earth; the Egyptian word kmt = black land); for example, as found in Plutarch. Another suggestion is that the origins are Greek khymatos (that which is poured out) and khein (to pour), from the Proto-Indo-European root gheu (to pour). Yet another suggestion is that the original word was Greek khymeia (the production of pharmaceuticals related to the juices or infusions of plants).
Yet another suggestion is that the Greek word khemeioa (the old writings of the Egyptians) leads to the Arabic word al-kimiya, Medieval Latin alkimia, 14th century Old French alchimie, and mid-14th century English alchemy.
The Online Etymological Dictionary tells us that “alchemy was the ‘chemistry’ of the Middle Ages and early modern times, involving both occult and natural philosophy and practical chemistry and metallurgy. After around 1600 the strictly scientific sense [became known as] chemistry and alchemy [remained] the pursuit of the transmutation of baser metals into gold, search for the universal solvent and the panacea."
By the 1560s, we see the English word chymist (alchemist). The modern spelling, chemist, is from around 1790. Chemist, meaning a person versed in chemistry, is from the 1620s. In Britain, the term ‘chemist’, a dealer in medicinal drugs (rather than ‘druggist’, as in North America), is from 1745.
The word chemistry, meaning alchemy, is from around 1600; meaning the scientific study of the composition of material things and the changes they undergo is from 1788.
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
Yet another suggestion is that the Greek word khemeioa (the old writings of the Egyptians) leads to the Arabic word al-kimiya, Medieval Latin alkimia, 14th century Old French alchimie, and mid-14th century English alchemy.
The Online Etymological Dictionary tells us that “alchemy was the ‘chemistry’ of the Middle Ages and early modern times, involving both occult and natural philosophy and practical chemistry and metallurgy. After around 1600 the strictly scientific sense [became known as] chemistry and alchemy [remained] the pursuit of the transmutation of baser metals into gold, search for the universal solvent and the panacea."
By the 1560s, we see the English word chymist (alchemist). The modern spelling, chemist, is from around 1790. Chemist, meaning a person versed in chemistry, is from the 1620s. In Britain, the term ‘chemist’, a dealer in medicinal drugs (rather than ‘druggist’, as in North America), is from 1745.
The word chemistry, meaning alchemy, is from around 1600; meaning the scientific study of the composition of material things and the changes they undergo is from 1788.
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
Cognitive Dissonance and the pandemic
Have you been wondering lately whether or not to wear a mask in public? Or whether or not to go out for dinner at a favorite restaurant or bar? Have you wondered why it seems so hard for ‘other’ people to wear a mask in response to public health warnings and advice regarding the Covid19 pandemic? But not me, of course.
Cognitive dissonance describes the discomfort felt when two ‘cognitions’ or ideas contradict each other, or when a ‘cognition’ and an ‘action’ contradict each other; e.g., I want to be with my friends; being with my friends might make me sick. According to cognitive dissonance theory, whatever you decide, you may end up finding it harder and harder to change your mind, especially if you feel you’ve made the wrong decision. I want to change my mind or my behavior, but I can’t or I’ll appear stupid or weak.
Why is this? Pride and ego are often involved.
The online Atlantic magazine has a good article this week (see reference below) on cognitive dissonance and the pandemic. “How to resolve this dissonance?” the writers ask. For example, they suggest that for some people “to preserve their belief that they are smart and competent and would never do anything foolish to risk their lives, they will need some self-justification.” That is, they need a ‘good’ reason for such ‘risky’ behavior. Yet, their actions are discordant or dissonant from their cognition or reason. Hence, cognitive dissonance.
The article goes on to state that “although it’s difficult, changing our minds is not impossible”. Some “self-reflection” is involved. The article ends with some suggestions for resolving such cognitive dissonance both at the personal and the political levels.
-o-
The word cognitive has its origins in the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root gno (to know) and in Latin gnoscere (to know). Cognitive, from Latin cognoscere, is the combination of Latin com, co- (together) + gnoscere. The word cognitive came to English in the 1580s meaning ‘pertaining to cognition’ and was adopted by social scientists around 1940.
The word dissonance has its origins in the PIE root swene, swen (to sound) and Latin sonare (to sound, to make a noise). Latin dis- (apart) combined with sonare creates dissonare and dissonantem (to differ in sound). The word dissonaunce (dissonance) came to English in the early 15th century meaning disagreement, discrepancy, incongruity, inconsistency between things. The use of dissonance to mean the inharmonious mixture or combination of sounds is from the 1590s.
The term ‘cognitive dissonance’ meaning ‘psychological distress caused by holding contradictory beliefs or values’ was coined by the psychologist Leon Festinger in 1957.
The role of cognitive dissonance in the pandemic
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/07/role-cognitive-dissonance-pandemic/614074/
Cognitive dissonance describes the discomfort felt when two ‘cognitions’ or ideas contradict each other, or when a ‘cognition’ and an ‘action’ contradict each other; e.g., I want to be with my friends; being with my friends might make me sick. According to cognitive dissonance theory, whatever you decide, you may end up finding it harder and harder to change your mind, especially if you feel you’ve made the wrong decision. I want to change my mind or my behavior, but I can’t or I’ll appear stupid or weak.
Why is this? Pride and ego are often involved.
The online Atlantic magazine has a good article this week (see reference below) on cognitive dissonance and the pandemic. “How to resolve this dissonance?” the writers ask. For example, they suggest that for some people “to preserve their belief that they are smart and competent and would never do anything foolish to risk their lives, they will need some self-justification.” That is, they need a ‘good’ reason for such ‘risky’ behavior. Yet, their actions are discordant or dissonant from their cognition or reason. Hence, cognitive dissonance.
The article goes on to state that “although it’s difficult, changing our minds is not impossible”. Some “self-reflection” is involved. The article ends with some suggestions for resolving such cognitive dissonance both at the personal and the political levels.
-o-
The word cognitive has its origins in the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root gno (to know) and in Latin gnoscere (to know). Cognitive, from Latin cognoscere, is the combination of Latin com, co- (together) + gnoscere. The word cognitive came to English in the 1580s meaning ‘pertaining to cognition’ and was adopted by social scientists around 1940.
The word dissonance has its origins in the PIE root swene, swen (to sound) and Latin sonare (to sound, to make a noise). Latin dis- (apart) combined with sonare creates dissonare and dissonantem (to differ in sound). The word dissonaunce (dissonance) came to English in the early 15th century meaning disagreement, discrepancy, incongruity, inconsistency between things. The use of dissonance to mean the inharmonious mixture or combination of sounds is from the 1590s.
The term ‘cognitive dissonance’ meaning ‘psychological distress caused by holding contradictory beliefs or values’ was coined by the psychologist Leon Festinger in 1957.
The role of cognitive dissonance in the pandemic
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/07/role-cognitive-dissonance-pandemic/614074/
