amateur etymology

Amateur etymology:

Meaning: A term used to describe the practice of providing imaginative or folk etymologies for words, often based on superficial similarities in sound or form, rather than on established historical or linguistic principles.

Origin:

The term "amateur etymology" is derived from the following roots:

• Amateur: From the French word "amateur," which means "lover" or "enthusiast." In this context, it refers to someone who has an interest in etymology but may not have formal training in the field.

• Etymology: From the Greek word "etymon," meaning "true sense" or "origin." It refers to the study of the origins and history of words.

Examples:

Amateur etymologies often involve making connections between words based on their sound or appearance, rather than on historical or linguistic evidence. Here are a few examples:

• Cucumber: Believed to be named after its shape, which resembles a "cow's cumber" (cow's curvature).
• Mortgage: Allegedly derived from the French phrase "mort gage," meaning "dead pledge," due to the fact that a mortgage was a legal transaction that could result in the loss of property if the loan was not repaid.
• Windshield: Supposedly named after the early days of automobiles, when the only protection from the wind was a "shield" of glass.

Criticism:

While amateur etymologies can be entertaining and thought-provoking, they are not considered reliable sources of information about the origins and history of words. True etymologies require rigorous research and evidence from historical and linguistic sources.

amateur relate terms

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• profession

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• amateur

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• dilettante

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• heavy

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• Rafflesia

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• aficionado

  Etymology The word aficionado originates from the Spanish word afición which means

• Nimrod

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• sham

  Meaning A form of folk etymology in which a word s actual origin is incorrectly replaced

• athlete

• individual

  Etymology from Latin individuum an individual thing or being from in not

• mortal

  Etymology Latin mortalis meaning subject to death Proto Indo European mrtós mea