“Words are but symbols for the relations of things to one another and to us; nowhere do they touch upon absolute truth.” —Friedrich Nietzsche, On Truth and Lies in a Nonmoral Sense, Section 1
Etymology is a linguistic discipline that studies the origin of words and how their forms and meanings have changed throughout history. Words serve as a bridge between individuals, allowing us to share thoughts, feelings, ideas, and information. The meaning of words plays a direct role in guiding behavior and setting expectations in social interactions.
The meaning of words determines how we categorize, describe, and understand reality and our experiences. The meanings of words are often tied to cultural and social contexts. Language can reflect and reinforce a community’s values, norms, and identity.
Words retain elements of their original meanings from their linguistic ancestors. Giving etymological discoveries a base for shaping written history. Here I present to you times when these meanings determined important moments in human history:
The “Aryan” Misinterpretation (19th Century)
Originally, “Aryan” referred to the Indo-Iranian peoples. Still, in the 19th century, European nationalists misappropriated the term to describe a “superior” race, fueling racial theories that impacted history, most notably influencing Nazi ideology.
The Root of “Democracy”
“Democracy” comes from the Greek “demos” (people) and “kratos” (power), meaning rule by the people. This etymology clarified the early meaning and structure of democratic governments, challenging later misinterpretations of what ancient Greek democracy entailed.
“Cannibal” and the Carib People
The word “cannibal” comes from “Carib,” referring to the indigenous people of the Caribbean, who were (incorrectly) believed by Europeans to be practicing human eaters. The etymology revealed the prejudices and misunderstandings European explorers had of indigenous cultures.
The Origins of the Word “Pharaoh”
Tracing the origins of “pharaoh” from the Egyptian word “per-aa” meaning “great house” helped clarify the word’s evolution from a term for a royal palace to one denoting the king himself, providing insights into Egyptian royal ideology.
“Suburb” in Ancient Rome
The word “suburb” comes from the Latin “suburbium,” meaning “under the city” (sub – under, urbs – city). This etymology highlighted how ancient cities were structured and how areas outside the walls were often home to lower classes or less desirable activities, influencing urban planning in later civilizations.
The Discovery of Linear B (1950s)
When Michael Ventris deciphered the Linear B script, he proved that the language of the Mycenaean civilization was an early form of Greek. This rewrote the history of ancient Greece by linking the Mycenaeans with later Greek culture.
The Word “Saracen”
“Saracen” was a term used by Europeans during the Crusades to describe Muslim adversaries. Etymology reveals it originally referred to an Arab tribe from the Sinai region. This discovery demonstrated the evolution of European conceptions of the Muslim world and their often distorted understanding of Middle Eastern peoples.
The Discovery of “Typhoon”
The word “typhoon” has roots in both Arabic and Chinese. In Arabic, “ṭūfān” means a violent storm, while in Chinese, “tai fung” means great wind. This etymological intersection showed the blending of cultures along maritime trade routes and illustrated early knowledge-sharing in weather phenomena between civilizations.
The Discovery of “Hysteria”
The word “hysteria” comes from the Greek “hystera,” meaning uterus, reflecting ancient (and incorrect) beliefs that this condition was caused by disturbances in women’s reproductive organs. Etymological research helped expose historical medical biases and led to a reevaluation of how mental health, particularly women’s health, was understood.
The Origin of the Word “Alphabet”
Tracing the word “alphabet” to the first two letters of the Greek alphabet (alpha and beta) tied the concept of writing systems in ancient Greece to earlier Semitic languages, reshaping our understanding of the spread of writing.
“Language is the house of Being. In its home, man dwells.” —Martin Heidegger, Letter on Humanism, Chapter 1
“Karma” in Western Thought
The term “karma” originates from the Sanskrit “karman” meaning “action” or “deed.” The Western appropriation of karma as a simplified concept of cosmic justice misrepresented its complex meaning in Eastern philosophy, prompting corrections in cross-cultural religious studies.
The Misunderstanding of “Amazon” Warriors
The ancient Greek term “Amazon” (likely from “a” meaning “without” and “mazos” meaning “breast”) was misunderstood for centuries as referring to a race of one-breasted warrior women. Etymological correction revealed that it more likely referred to their warrior prowess rather than a physical trait.
“Celt” as a Misnomer
Etymological research showed that the term “Celt” was applied much later by 18th-century historians to describe the ancient peoples of Britain, Ireland, and Gaul. This discovery helped historians reinterpret ancient European tribal groups and their distinct identities.
The Misreading of “Viking”
The word “viking” originally referred to an activity—raiding—rather than a group of people. Etymological studies shifted our understanding of the Viking Age from being about a people to being about the broader seafaring and raiding culture of Scandinavia.
“America” and Amerigo Vespucci (1507)
The naming of the American continents after the explorer Amerigo Vespucci, rather than Christopher Columbus, came through linguistic analysis of a German mapmaker’s use of Vespucci’s name, shifting the historical credit for the “discovery” of the New World.
The Origins of the Word “Slave”
The term “slave” originates from “Slav,” the ethnic group that was frequently captured and sold into slavery by medieval European and Islamic powers. Etymological research connected this term to the history of Eastern European enslavement.
The Evolution of “Barbarian”
The word “barbarian” comes from the Greek “barbaros,” originally used to describe non-Greek speakers. Etymological studies revealed how Greeks and Romans used the term to reflect cultural bias, and its evolution reshaped the understanding of “civilized” versus “uncivilized” cultures.
“Assassin” and the Hashshashin Sect
The term “assassin” derives from the Arabic “Hashshashin,” a Nizari Ismaili sect reputed for carrying out politically motivated killings. Understanding this word’s origin linked medieval European views on covert killings with a specific Middle Eastern sect, reshaping historical accounts of the Crusades.
The Evolution of the Word “Parliament”
Tracing the etymology of “parliament” back to the French “parler” (to speak) revealed that originally, it referred to a meeting for discussion, shifting perceptions of early governance in medieval Europe and the origins of modern democracy.
“Chequers” and Trade History
The word “chequers,” as in the British country estate of the Prime Minister, and “check” (in finance) both trace their origins to “exchequer,” which comes from the medieval Latin word for a chessboard, used in counting and bookkeeping. This discovery tied the development of modern financial systems to medieval methods of tracking debts and taxes.