bygones etymology

Etymology

The word "bygones" is derived from two Old English words:

• bygan: past
• gān: to go

Meaning

"Bygones" means things that have happened in the past and should be forgotten or forgiven. It is used to refer to something that has been done or said that was considered wrong or offensive at the time, but is no longer important and should not be held against someone.

Origin

The first recorded use of the term "bygones" in the modern sense is from 1590. It originally referred to things that had passed away, such as a person or a period of time. Over time, it gained its current meaning of things that should be forgotten or forgiven.

Examples of Use

• "Let's just let bygones be bygones and move on."
• "I'm sorry for what I said. Can we let bygones be bygones?"
• "The past is the past. We should focus on the present and let bygones be bygones."

bygones relate terms

• bygone

  Etymology Bygone is a combination of two Old English words be meaning by or p

• gone

  Etymology The word gone comes from the Old English word gān which means to go

• aforesaid

  Etymology Middle English aforeseide from Old English āforesǣgd From āfore before

• bygones

  Etymology The word bygones is derived from two Old English words bygan past gān t

• bylaw

  Etymology Bylaw is a compound word composed of two separate terms By In legal context

• bygones

  Etymology The word bygones is derived from two Old English words bygan past gān t

• bystander

  Etymology The word bystander derives from the Middle English term bystandere circa 1

• past

  Etymology Origin Middle English late 14th century from the noun pass from Old F

• taps

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• bingo

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