The Architectural History of the Word Fornication

Hello,

{Note: due to the nature of the word, this week’s Wordfoolery story is less suitable for young wordfools, you have been warned}

Vaulted ceiling in Christchurch Cathedral, Dublin

Sometimes referred to as the oldest profession, although I’d say that would be gardener, fornication isn’t the oldest word in English. It arrived around 1200, along with plenty of other Norman imports, from the Old French word fornicacion (fornication, lewdness, prostitution). The French had drawn on Late Latin’s fornicationem and fornicari (to fornicate).

The word itself has solid Roman roots. In Latin the word fornix meant brothel but originally had described an arch or other vaulted space or chamber. A fornus was an arched brick oven, somewhat akin to modern day pizza ovens.

How did the Romans leap from pizza ovens and vaulted arches to loose behaviour? It was a simple case of architecture. Rome’s ladies of the night often looked for customers while loitering under the arches of certain buildings. Their location became associated with their work and hence with the word. Add a few centuries and the arches were forgotten but fornication continued to be a busy profession.

Until next time, happy reading, writing, and wordfooling,

Grace (@Wordfoolery)