blacking etymology

Etymology:

  • Old English "blacian" (to blacken)
  • Proto-Germanic "blakj-an"
  • Proto-Indo-European root "*bʰleg-" (to burn, shine)

Meaning:

  • To make black
  • To darken
  • To smear with black paint or ink
  • To black out (lose consciousness)

Origin:

The word "blacking" originates from the Old English verb "blacian," which referred to the process of making something black. This verb likely comes from the Proto-Germanic "blakj-an," which in turn derives from the Proto-Indo-European root "*bʰleg-," meaning "to burn" or "to shine." This suggests that the original meaning of "blacian" may have been related to creating a dark or shiny surface.

Over time, "blacian" evolved into "blacken" in Modern English, and "blacking" became a noun referring specifically to the act or process of making something black. It is commonly used in contexts such as shoe polish, leather dyeing, and paint application.

In addition to its literal meaning, "blacking" can also have figurative or metaphorical connotations, such as:

  • Concealing or obscuring something
  • Suppressing or erasing a person's identity or history
  • Creating a sense of darkness or gloom

blacking relate terms

  • black

    Etymology The word black is derived from the Old English word blac which is cognate

  • black

    Etymology The word black is derived from the Old English word blac which is cognate

  • blacking

    Etymology Old English blacian to blacken Proto Germanic blakj an Proto Indo Europ

  • Polish

    Etymology The word Polish is derived from the Latin word Polonia plural Poloni

  • color

    Color Etymology Color Etymology Origin Black Old English blæc

  • shoe

    Etymology The word shoe comes from the Old English word scōh meaning footwear T

  • Monday

    Etymology Old English Mōnandæg Mōna moon dæg day Meaning and Origin Monday

  • pilgrim

    Etymology The word pilgrim comes from the Old French word pelegrin which itself ori

  • Sabbath

    Etymology The word Sabbath comes from the Hebrew word shabbat pronounced shab BAHT

  • duplicity

    Etymology Duplicity is derived from the Latin word duplex meaning double or two

  • native

    Etymology Native derives from the Old and Middle English word natif which in turn c

  • nostalgia

    Etymology The word nostalgia originates from two Greek words Nostos νόστος

  • abstruse

    Etymology The word abstruse originated from the Latin word abstrusus which means h