apocryphal etymology

Apocryphal Etymology

Apocryphal etymology refers to the false or dubious derivation of a word's origin. It is often based on folk etymology, where words are popularly believed to have originated from a particular source, even though there is no historical evidence to support this.

Meaning

The term "apocryphal" comes from the Greek word "apokryphos," meaning "hidden" or "secret." In the context of etymology, it means that the proposed origin of a word is not supported by reliable linguistic sources.

Origin

Apocryphal etymologies have been around for centuries. They often arise from:

• Misunderstandings of historical texts
• Similarity in sound between two words
• Folkloric tales or legends
• Cultural beliefs or biases

Examples

Some famous examples of apocryphal etymologies include:

• Serendipity: Believed to have originated from the Persian word "serendip," the name of an island in Sri Lanka. However, it likely comes from Horace Walpole's satirical novel "The Three Princes of Serendip."
• Gobbledygook: Attributed to a politician named Goble, who supposedly used the word to confuse his opponents. In reality, it is probably based on the sound of turkeys gobbling.
• Malapropism: Named after Mrs. Malaprop, a character in Sheridan's play "The Rivals" who notoriously used incorrect words. However, the term itself predates the play by several decades.

Consequences

Apocryphal etymologies can lead to misconceptions and inaccuracies in the understanding of word origins. They can also obscure the true historical development of language and its vocabulary.

Verification

To avoid falling prey to apocryphal etymologies, it is important to consult reliable linguistic sources, such as:

• Etymological dictionaries
• Historical dictionaries
• Linguistic databases

These sources provide documented evidence of a word's origin and its evolution over time.

apocryphal relate terms

• apocrypha

  Etymology The word apocrypha is derived from the Greek word ἀπόκρυφος apo

• crypt

  Etymology The English word crypt is derived from the Latin word crypta which in tur

• abaft

  Etymology Middle English abaft from Old French abaf arriere from Late Latin ab af

• ablaut

  Etymology of Ablaut The term ablaut derives from German and means change of vowel It

• after

  Etymology Etymology derives from two Greek words étymos true or real lógos

• apanthropy

  Etymology A Greek Prefix meaning without or not Pan Greek Prefix meanin

• aperitif

  Etymology The word aperitif comes from the Latin verb aperire which means to open

• aperture

  Etymology The word aperture comes from the Latin word aperire meaning to open Mean

• apocalypse

  Etymology The word apocalypse derives from the Greek word apokálypsis which means

• apocryphal

  Apocryphal Etymology Apocryphal etymology refers to the false or dubious derivation of a

• Apollyon

  Etymology Greek Apollyōn ἀπολλύων Meaning Destroyer or the one who

• apology

• apoplexy

  Etymology Origin Greek apoplexia from apo away plexia stroke First use in

• apostle

  Etymology From Old English apostol noun apostolig adjective from Late Latin apost

• apostrophe

  Etymology The word apostrophe is derived from the Greek word apostrophos which means

• apothecary

  Apothecary Etymology The word apothecary is derived from the Greek word apotheke me

• apotheosis

  Etymology Greek ἀποθέωσις apothéōsis deification a raising to the sta

• awkward

  Etymology The word awkward comes from the Middle English word awke meaning left han

• eftsoons

  Etymology Old English eft again sōna soon Meaning Again soon Once more

• offal

  Etymology The English word offal is derived from the Old French word offaille which

• overt

  Etymology Latin overtus open uncovered bare Proto Indo European h₁éh₁wer

• spoonerism

  Etymology Coined in 1883 by William Archibald Spooner a British clergyman and professo

• garter

  Etymology The word garter comes from the Middle English gartere which in turn is de

• lounge

  Etymology Middle French longe longeur meaning length Old North French lonc mean

• macabre

  Etymology Latin macaber Old French macabre Middle French macabre English macabre

• scepter

  Etymology The word scepter derives from the Old French word sceptre which in turn c

• Semite

  Etymology and Meaning The term Semite derives from the name Shem one of the sons of N

• indignation

  Etymology Late Latin indignatio from Latin indignus unworthy from in not dign

• innocent

  Etymology The word innocent comes from the Latin word innocens which means harmles

• privilege

  Etymology Latin privilegium Proto Indo European pr̥ḱ li s before the law Mea

• fast

  Etymology Fast derives from the Middle English word faste which means to refrain from