David Tickner's Blog, page 5
October 28, 2024
Disguise
Disable, disadvantage, disagree, disappear, discourage, disease, disgust… So many words start with the Latin prefix ‘dis’ meaning apart, away from, or off of. Today, the prefix ‘dis’ is also commonly used to mean opposite of, not, remove, and reverse.
What then is a dis + guise?
The word guise has its origins in the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root weid (to see); which is also, by the way, the origin of the word video. PIE weid is the source of Proto-Germanic wison (appearance, form, manner) and Old High German wisa (manner, wise). A guise is the way in which something is seen.
The word guise appears in English in the late 13th century meaning a style or fashion of attire from Old French guise (manner, fashion, way).
And so, a ‘dis-guise’ is something that blocks or inhibits seeing.
The verb ‘to disguise’, from around 1300, meant to conceal the identity of a person by changes of usual appearance with the intention to deceive. Old French disguiser meant to change one’s appearance. By the mid-14th century, disguise meant to conceal or cover up the original character of someone or something by a counterfeit form or appearance.
The noun disguise, from around 1400, meant a strange style of dress intended to deceive. By the 1630s, a disguise was a false or misleading appearance intended for concealment of identity.
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
What then is a dis + guise?
The word guise has its origins in the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root weid (to see); which is also, by the way, the origin of the word video. PIE weid is the source of Proto-Germanic wison (appearance, form, manner) and Old High German wisa (manner, wise). A guise is the way in which something is seen.
The word guise appears in English in the late 13th century meaning a style or fashion of attire from Old French guise (manner, fashion, way).
And so, a ‘dis-guise’ is something that blocks or inhibits seeing.
The verb ‘to disguise’, from around 1300, meant to conceal the identity of a person by changes of usual appearance with the intention to deceive. Old French disguiser meant to change one’s appearance. By the mid-14th century, disguise meant to conceal or cover up the original character of someone or something by a counterfeit form or appearance.
The noun disguise, from around 1400, meant a strange style of dress intended to deceive. By the 1630s, a disguise was a false or misleading appearance intended for concealment of identity.
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
October 12, 2024
Exhilaration
Did you know that the word exhilaration has its roots in words meaning reconcile and comfort? More recently, the word exhilaration has origins in the word hilarity.
These sources of the word exhilaration are seen in the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root selh (reconcile) which in turn is the source of Latin solari (to comfort) and Greek hilaskomai (to propitiate, appease, reconcile).
These sources are also the roots of Greek hilaros (cheerful, merry, joyous), Greek hilaos (graceful, kindly), and Latin hilarus (cheerful, merry). Greek hilaros and Latin hilaritatem are the source of the mid-15th century word hilarity (cheerfulness, gaiety, merriment).
The verb ‘to exhilarate’ (to make cheerful, lively, or merry; to render glad or joyous), appearing in the 1530s, is from Latin exhilaratus (cheerful, merry): Latin ex- (out of) + hilarare, hilarus.
The noun exhilaration (the act of enlivening or cheering; state of being enlivened or cheerful), appearing in the 1620s, is from Latin exhilarationem (a gladdening): again, from Latin ex- + hilarare, hilarus.
In brief, given such origins, perhaps exhilaration could be said to be the feelings of comfort and happiness at being reconciled, of being ‘at one’ with yourself and others?!
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
These sources of the word exhilaration are seen in the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root selh (reconcile) which in turn is the source of Latin solari (to comfort) and Greek hilaskomai (to propitiate, appease, reconcile).
These sources are also the roots of Greek hilaros (cheerful, merry, joyous), Greek hilaos (graceful, kindly), and Latin hilarus (cheerful, merry). Greek hilaros and Latin hilaritatem are the source of the mid-15th century word hilarity (cheerfulness, gaiety, merriment).
The verb ‘to exhilarate’ (to make cheerful, lively, or merry; to render glad or joyous), appearing in the 1530s, is from Latin exhilaratus (cheerful, merry): Latin ex- (out of) + hilarare, hilarus.
The noun exhilaration (the act of enlivening or cheering; state of being enlivened or cheerful), appearing in the 1620s, is from Latin exhilarationem (a gladdening): again, from Latin ex- + hilarare, hilarus.
In brief, given such origins, perhaps exhilaration could be said to be the feelings of comfort and happiness at being reconciled, of being ‘at one’ with yourself and others?!
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
October 6, 2024
Confelicity
Con + felicity.
The word felicity appears in English in the late 14th century meaning happiness; that which is a source of happiness. The word felicity has its origins in Old French felicite (happiness) and Latin felicitatem (happiness, fertility) and Latin felix (happy, fortunate, fruitful, fertile).
The proper names Felix and Felicia are from Latin felix (happy).
These origin words in turn have their source in Proto-Indo-European dhe(i) (to suck, to suckle, produce, yield). Such origins suggest that that which brings happiness is that which produces crops and food.
The verb felicitate, from the 1620s, means to render happy. To felicitate, meaning to congratulate or to compliment on a happy event, is from the 1630s.
The Latin word-forming element con- means together, with.
So con + felicity means to be happy together—confelicity.
Is felicitator a word?! That is, is a felicitator someone who facilitates happiness in themselves and others?
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
The word felicity appears in English in the late 14th century meaning happiness; that which is a source of happiness. The word felicity has its origins in Old French felicite (happiness) and Latin felicitatem (happiness, fertility) and Latin felix (happy, fortunate, fruitful, fertile).
The proper names Felix and Felicia are from Latin felix (happy).
These origin words in turn have their source in Proto-Indo-European dhe(i) (to suck, to suckle, produce, yield). Such origins suggest that that which brings happiness is that which produces crops and food.
The verb felicitate, from the 1620s, means to render happy. To felicitate, meaning to congratulate or to compliment on a happy event, is from the 1630s.
The Latin word-forming element con- means together, with.
So con + felicity means to be happy together—confelicity.
Is felicitator a word?! That is, is a felicitator someone who facilitates happiness in themselves and others?
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
September 24, 2024
Cahoots, Cohort
What does it mean to be in ‘cahoots’ with someone? To me, the word has usually carried somewhat negative connotations. For example, to be in cahoots with someone sounds like you’re engaged in something mischievous or even illegal.
The word cahoots, meaning a company or partnership, appears in Western and Southern American English in 1829.
One source suggests that cahoots is from 12th century French cahute (a cabin, a hut). However, other sources suggest that the origin is French cohort (cohort) meaning companions or confederates.
The English word cohort, from the early 15th century, meant a company of soldiers or a band of warriors.
The word cohort has its origins in Latin cohortem (enclosure), from Latin com (with) + hortus (garden). Latin cohortem also referred to an infantry company as it was, in a sense, an enclosed group or retinue.
In brief, the people with whom we are in cahoots for whatever reason is a cohort!
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
The word cahoots, meaning a company or partnership, appears in Western and Southern American English in 1829.
One source suggests that cahoots is from 12th century French cahute (a cabin, a hut). However, other sources suggest that the origin is French cohort (cohort) meaning companions or confederates.
The English word cohort, from the early 15th century, meant a company of soldiers or a band of warriors.
The word cohort has its origins in Latin cohortem (enclosure), from Latin com (with) + hortus (garden). Latin cohortem also referred to an infantry company as it was, in a sense, an enclosed group or retinue.
In brief, the people with whom we are in cahoots for whatever reason is a cohort!
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
Isumataq
A few days ago, I came across the word isumataq. I first encountered this word in the 1980s when reading Barry Lopez’s wonderful book, Arctic Dreams. At that time, I found the word particularly relevant to my college faculty development work.
In brief, isumataq, an Inuktitut word, refers to a person who creates the environment or atmosphere for a group of people in which latent wisdom can reveal itself. Inuktitut, spoken in the eastern Arctic of Canada, is one of five major Inuit languages.
What is wisdom? In brief, wisdom can be considered as a relationship to experience. Wisdom is not just what you know but how you act on the basis of what you know. Wisdom is down to earth and practical. To be wise is to act wisely.
Some synonyms for isumataq include listener, advisor, storyteller, facilitator, but not necessarily shaman or teacher.
As I think about the word isumataq again, it seems particularly relevant to the world in which we live these days, not just the world of faculty development!
To quote at length from Barry Lopez:
“And once in a great while an isumataq becomes apparent, a person who can create the atmosphere in which wisdom shows itself.
This is a timeless wisdom that survives failed human economies. It survives wars. It survives definition. It is a nameless wisdom esteemed by all people. It is understanding how to live a decent life, how to behave properly toward other people and toward the land.
It is, further, a wisdom not owned by anyone, nor about which one culture is more insightful or articulate. I could easily imagine some person … sitting with one or two Inuit men and women in a coastal village, corroborating with the existence of this human wisdom in yet another region of the world, and looking around to the mountains, the ice, the birds to see what makes it possible to put [such wisdom] into words” (298 – 299).
Looking around. Seeing. Perhaps not surprisingly the origins of the word wisdom are in ancient words meaning ‘to see’.
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
Lopez, B. (1986). Arctic dreams: Imagination and desire in a northern landscape. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.
https://innerjourneyevents.wordpress.com/2015/03/26/just-for-today-hold-space-as-an-isumataq/
In brief, isumataq, an Inuktitut word, refers to a person who creates the environment or atmosphere for a group of people in which latent wisdom can reveal itself. Inuktitut, spoken in the eastern Arctic of Canada, is one of five major Inuit languages.
What is wisdom? In brief, wisdom can be considered as a relationship to experience. Wisdom is not just what you know but how you act on the basis of what you know. Wisdom is down to earth and practical. To be wise is to act wisely.
Some synonyms for isumataq include listener, advisor, storyteller, facilitator, but not necessarily shaman or teacher.
As I think about the word isumataq again, it seems particularly relevant to the world in which we live these days, not just the world of faculty development!
To quote at length from Barry Lopez:
“And once in a great while an isumataq becomes apparent, a person who can create the atmosphere in which wisdom shows itself.
This is a timeless wisdom that survives failed human economies. It survives wars. It survives definition. It is a nameless wisdom esteemed by all people. It is understanding how to live a decent life, how to behave properly toward other people and toward the land.
It is, further, a wisdom not owned by anyone, nor about which one culture is more insightful or articulate. I could easily imagine some person … sitting with one or two Inuit men and women in a coastal village, corroborating with the existence of this human wisdom in yet another region of the world, and looking around to the mountains, the ice, the birds to see what makes it possible to put [such wisdom] into words” (298 – 299).
Looking around. Seeing. Perhaps not surprisingly the origins of the word wisdom are in ancient words meaning ‘to see’.
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
Lopez, B. (1986). Arctic dreams: Imagination and desire in a northern landscape. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.
https://innerjourneyevents.wordpress.com/2015/03/26/just-for-today-hold-space-as-an-isumataq/
September 19, 2024
Congratulate, Congratulation
The verb ‘to congratulate’ has its origins in the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root gwere- (2) (to favor), Latin gratus (agreeable) and Latin gratulari (to give thanks, show joy). Latin com- (together, with) + gratulari = congratulari (to wish joy). ‘To congratulate’, meaning to address with expressions of sympathetic pleasure, is from the 1540s.
The noun congratulation is from the mid-15th century.
The interjection, “Congratulations!”, an exclamation conveying a sentiment of congratulation, is from the 1630s.
In brief, when we congratulate someone, we wish them well, we wish them joy.
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
The noun congratulation is from the mid-15th century.
The interjection, “Congratulations!”, an exclamation conveying a sentiment of congratulation, is from the 1630s.
In brief, when we congratulate someone, we wish them well, we wish them joy.
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
September 8, 2024
Raven
The word raven has its origins in a Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root which imitates the harsh sounds of a raven or crow, the source of Proto-Germanic khrabanaz (raven), the source of words such as Danish ravn, Old High German hraban, German Rabe, and Old English hroc.
The English word raven, from before the 12th century, is from Middle English raven, reven, Old English hraefn, Proto-West Germanic hrabn, and Proto-Germanic khrabanaz, hrabnaz.
Similarly, related words include Latin crepare (to creak, clatter), cornix (crow), corvus (raven), Greek koraz (raven), Old Church Slavonic kruku (raven) and Lithuanian krauklys (crow).
The Oxford English Dictionary defines raven as a “larger species of crow common in Europe and Asia, noted for its lustrous black plumage and raucous voice; the raven is “popularly regarded as a bird of evil omen and mysterious character” (cited in Online Etymological Dictionary).
“The Quran connects the raven with Cain's murder of Abel, but in Christianity the bird plays a positive role in the stories of St. Benedict, St. Paul the Hermit, St. Vincent, etc. Poe's poem was published in 1845. It was anciently believed to live to a great age but also to be wanting in parental care. The raven standard was the flag of the Danish vikings. The vikings, like Noah, were said to have used the raven to find land when at sea. "When uncertain of their course they let one loose, and steered the vessel in his track, deeming that the land lay in the direction of his flight; if he returned to the ship, it was supposed to be at a distance" [Charles Swainson, "The Folk Lore and Provincial Names of British Birds," London, 1886]. As an English name for the constellation Corvus by late 14c” (Online Etymological Dictionary).
The adjective raven (e.g., black as a raven, lustrously black) is from the 1630s.
The collective nouns for a group of common ravens include ‘unkindness’ and ‘conspiracy’.
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_raven
The English word raven, from before the 12th century, is from Middle English raven, reven, Old English hraefn, Proto-West Germanic hrabn, and Proto-Germanic khrabanaz, hrabnaz.
Similarly, related words include Latin crepare (to creak, clatter), cornix (crow), corvus (raven), Greek koraz (raven), Old Church Slavonic kruku (raven) and Lithuanian krauklys (crow).
The Oxford English Dictionary defines raven as a “larger species of crow common in Europe and Asia, noted for its lustrous black plumage and raucous voice; the raven is “popularly regarded as a bird of evil omen and mysterious character” (cited in Online Etymological Dictionary).
“The Quran connects the raven with Cain's murder of Abel, but in Christianity the bird plays a positive role in the stories of St. Benedict, St. Paul the Hermit, St. Vincent, etc. Poe's poem was published in 1845. It was anciently believed to live to a great age but also to be wanting in parental care. The raven standard was the flag of the Danish vikings. The vikings, like Noah, were said to have used the raven to find land when at sea. "When uncertain of their course they let one loose, and steered the vessel in his track, deeming that the land lay in the direction of his flight; if he returned to the ship, it was supposed to be at a distance" [Charles Swainson, "The Folk Lore and Provincial Names of British Birds," London, 1886]. As an English name for the constellation Corvus by late 14c” (Online Etymological Dictionary).
The adjective raven (e.g., black as a raven, lustrously black) is from the 1630s.
The collective nouns for a group of common ravens include ‘unkindness’ and ‘conspiracy’.
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_raven
September 6, 2024
Fast
When you hear the word fast, what comes to mind? Something that is moving very quickly? That is just one of many different meanings and uses of the word fast.
The word fast has quite different meanings depending on whether it is used as an adjective (fast food), an adverb (run fast), a verb (to fast), or a noun (a fast as a period of not eating).
The use of the word fast as an adjective seems to be the original use of the word. The origins are found in the Proto-Indo-European root past- (firm, solid), Sanskrit pastyam (dwelling place), Proto-Germanic fastu (firm, fast), and Old English faest (firmly fixed, steadfast, constant; secure; enclosed, watertight; strong, fortified). None of these words imply moving quickly or ‘fast’. In fact, these original word origins mean just the opposite.
The use of the word fast as an adverb as well as an adjective is seen in Old English faeste which not only meant firmly, securely, strictly, but also is seen as meaning speedily. The word fast meaning quickly, swiftly, rapidly, appears by around 1200 from Old Norse fast (firmly, fast; strongly, vigorously)—to run ‘fast’ did not just refer to speed but to run ‘hard’. To be ‘fast asleep’ is to be strongly asleep.
The verb ‘to fast’, from Old English faestan (to fast, as a religious duty; to confirm, to pledge) is from Old Norse fasta (to abstain from food) and Proto-Germanic fastanan (to hold firmly, to have firm control of oneself, to hold oneself in observance).
The Old English verb faestnian (to fasten) meant to make fast, make firm, fix, secure.
The noun fast (the act of fasting) is from Old English fasten (voluntary abstinence from food and drink.
Some uses of the word fast include ‘color-fast’ colors (1650s), fast living (1745) and living fast; i.e., living an unrestrained life, eager pursuit of pleasure (1746), clocks running ‘fast’ (1840).
Fast track, originally in horse racing (1934). To fast talk someone (1946). Fast buck (1947). Fast forward re audio tapes (1948). Fast food (1951). Fast lane (1966).
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
The word fast has quite different meanings depending on whether it is used as an adjective (fast food), an adverb (run fast), a verb (to fast), or a noun (a fast as a period of not eating).
The use of the word fast as an adjective seems to be the original use of the word. The origins are found in the Proto-Indo-European root past- (firm, solid), Sanskrit pastyam (dwelling place), Proto-Germanic fastu (firm, fast), and Old English faest (firmly fixed, steadfast, constant; secure; enclosed, watertight; strong, fortified). None of these words imply moving quickly or ‘fast’. In fact, these original word origins mean just the opposite.
The use of the word fast as an adverb as well as an adjective is seen in Old English faeste which not only meant firmly, securely, strictly, but also is seen as meaning speedily. The word fast meaning quickly, swiftly, rapidly, appears by around 1200 from Old Norse fast (firmly, fast; strongly, vigorously)—to run ‘fast’ did not just refer to speed but to run ‘hard’. To be ‘fast asleep’ is to be strongly asleep.
The verb ‘to fast’, from Old English faestan (to fast, as a religious duty; to confirm, to pledge) is from Old Norse fasta (to abstain from food) and Proto-Germanic fastanan (to hold firmly, to have firm control of oneself, to hold oneself in observance).
The Old English verb faestnian (to fasten) meant to make fast, make firm, fix, secure.
The noun fast (the act of fasting) is from Old English fasten (voluntary abstinence from food and drink.
Some uses of the word fast include ‘color-fast’ colors (1650s), fast living (1745) and living fast; i.e., living an unrestrained life, eager pursuit of pleasure (1746), clocks running ‘fast’ (1840).
Fast track, originally in horse racing (1934). To fast talk someone (1946). Fast buck (1947). Fast forward re audio tapes (1948). Fast food (1951). Fast lane (1966).
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
August 24, 2024
Brat
The word brat has uncertain origins. Even the original meaning is uncertain—is a brat a child or a garment?
The word brat (a cloak of coarse cloth) appears around 1400, likely from Old English bratt (cloak) and Old Irish bratt (cloak, cloth).
The use of brat in reference to a child is from the 1530s, perhaps from the idea of a child’s apron.
“In earliest uses the implication is of an unwanted or unplanned child rather than a reference to behavior; differing from a bastard in that a married couple might have a brat” (Online Etymological Dictionary).
The term ‘brattery’ referring to a nursery is from 1788.
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
The word brat (a cloak of coarse cloth) appears around 1400, likely from Old English bratt (cloak) and Old Irish bratt (cloak, cloth).
The use of brat in reference to a child is from the 1530s, perhaps from the idea of a child’s apron.
“In earliest uses the implication is of an unwanted or unplanned child rather than a reference to behavior; differing from a bastard in that a married couple might have a brat” (Online Etymological Dictionary).
The term ‘brattery’ referring to a nursery is from 1788.
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
