civic etymology

Meaning: Civic etymology refers to the change in meaning or origin of a word or phrase due to false or "folk" etymology. It results from a misinterpretation of the word's actual etymology, typically based on popular understanding rather than linguistic research.

Origin: The term "civic etymology" was coined by the English philologist and folklorist Walter William Skeat in the late 19th century. It is derived from the words:

• "Civic": Pertaining to citizens or the community
• "Etymology": The study of word origins

Causes: Civic etymology occurs when people:

• Misinterpret the sound or spelling of a word
• Connect it with a more familiar or plausible meaning
• Seek to explain the origin of the word based on their own assumptions

Examples:

• Asparagus: Originally from the Greek "asparagos," meaning "sprout." In English, it was mistakenly associated with the Latin "sparagus" (spear), leading to the belief that it was named after its spear-like shape.
• Parents: Derived from the Latin "parentes," meaning "those born before." In English, it was folk etymologized as "par-ents" or "pair-ents," suggesting that parents come in pairs.
• Cockroach: Thought to be a shortening of "cook-roach" by some, who believed it was a type of roach associated with kitchens. In reality, it comes from the Spanish "cucaracha," which is onomatopoeic for the insect's rustling sound.
• Kindergarten: Originally a German word meaning "children's garden." In English, it was interpreted as "kinder" (children) + "garden," suggesting a garden for children.

Significance: Civic etymology provides insight into:

• The evolution of language over time
• The power of folk beliefs and popular assumptions
• The creative and often humorous ways in which words can change meaning

civic relate terms

• city

  Etymology of the Word City The word city has its origins in the following languages

• town

  Etymology The word town derives from the Old English word tūn which originally mean

• borough

  Etymology The word borough comes from the Old English word burh which originally me

• slick

  Etymology Middle Dutch slik smooth sleek Proto Germanic slikkaz Proto Indo Europ

• civics

  Etymology The word civics is derived from the Latin word civis which means citizen

• civic

  Meaning Civic etymology refers to the change in meaning or origin of a word or phrase due

• incivism

  Etymology The term incivism is derived from the Latin word incivis meaning not a cit

• civil

  Meaning and Origin of Civil Etymology Civil etymology refers to a process where words cha

• wait

  Etymology Old English wæht Proto Germanic wahti Proto Indo European weh t woh t

• candidate

  Etymology The word candidate comes from the Latin candidus meaning white In anci

• politic

  Etymology The word politics is derived from the Greek word polis which means city s

• hobbyhorse

  Etymology The term hobbyhorse is derived from the Middle English word hobyhors which

• bedlam

  Etymology The word bedlam derives from the name of the mental hospital in London Bethl

• sand

  Etymology The word sand comes from the Old English word sand which is thought to be

• epiphany

  Etymology From Late Latin epiphania from Greek ἐπιφάνεια epiphaneia meani