consensual etymology

Meaning:

Consensual etymology refers to the popular belief that the origin of a word corresponds to its literal meaning or sound.

Origin:

The term "etymology" comes from the Greek words "etymon," meaning "true sense," and "logos," meaning "word." Consensual etymology arises when people make assumptions about the origin of words based on their surface appearance or perceived connection to other words.

Characteristics:

• Subjective: Consensual etymologies are often based on personal interpretations rather than linguistic evidence.
• Non-historical: They do not consider the historical evolution of words and their meanings.
• Folkloric: They often become embedded in popular culture and passed down through generations.

Examples:

• "Bedraggled" (meaning "disheveled") is often believed to be derived from "bed-rag," even though it actually comes from the Welsh word "bredydd" (meaning "tattered").
• "Flabbergasted" (meaning "astonished") is sometimes thought to come from "flap" and "gast," but it likely originated from the Middle English word "flabergasten" (meaning "to strike dumb").
• "Mortgage" (meaning "a loan secured by property") is often falsely associated with "death" (mort) and "gage" (pledge), but it actually derives from the Old French word "mortgager" (meaning "to put to death").

Significance:

While consensual etymologies may be entertaining or memorable, they can also be misleading and hinder accurate understanding of language history. It is important to rely on linguistic research and historical evidence when determining the origins of words.

consensual relate terms

• sense

  Etymology Middle English sens from Old French sens from Latin sensus sensation perc

• consenting

  Etymology consenting verb Middle English consentinge from Anglo Norman French conse

• consensual

  Meaning Consensual etymology refers to the popular belief that the origin of a word corr

• consensus

  Etymology Consensus comes from the Latin word consentire meaning to agree decide tog

• boggle

  Etymology The word boggle has two etymological origins Origin 1 From the Middle En

• remedy

  Etymology The word remedy comes from the Latin word remedium which means a cure or

• attend

  Etymology Old French atendre Late Latin attendere from ad to towards tendere

• train

  Etymology Old French train from Latin trahere meaning to drag pull or draw Mean

• treadmill

  Etymology The word treadmill is a compound word derived from two words Tread To ste

• brain

  Etymology The word brain is derived from the Old English word brægen which is cogna

• hazard

  Etymology and Meaning of Hazard The word hazard has its roots in the Old French word

• trend

  Etymology From Middle English trende from Old French trende from Latin trendere to

• suppose

  Etymology Meaning The study of the origin and development of words Origin Greek ety