decorative etymology

Decorative Etymology

Decorative etymology refers to the practice of ascribing fanciful or fabricated origins to words, often based on their sound or appearance rather than actual linguistic evidence. It is a form of folk etymology, which involves the popular modification of word origins to make them more memorable or meaningful.

Meaning

Decorative etymology is a type of wordplay that relies on creative imagination and superficial similarities between words. It is not based on historical or linguistic research, and is often used for entertainment or amusement.

Origin

The term "decorative etymology" was coined by the American linguist Albert C. Baugh in 1935. However, the practice of ascribing fanciful origins to words has been around for centuries.

Examples

Some common examples of decorative etymologies include:

• Gossiping: From the alleged practice of godmothers sipping wine together at baptisms.
• Cockroach: From the Spanish "cucaracha," a reference to the insect's resemblance to a cockroach.
• Apricot: From the Latin "praecoquum," meaning "early-ripening," despite its actual origin in Arabic.
• Champagne: From the French region of Champagne, where the sparkling wine originated.
• Sputnik: From the Russian "спутник," meaning "companion," used for the first artificial satellite launched into space.

Characteristics

Decorative etymologies typically share certain characteristics:

• Superficial similarity: They rely on the sound, appearance, or spelling of words.
• Lack of historical evidence: They are not supported by linguistic research or historical documentation.
• Humor or entertainment: They are often used for amusement or to make words more memorable.

Significance

Decorative etymology has little linguistic value, but it can provide insights into the popular imagination and the ways in which people perceive language. It can also be a source of entertainment and wordplay.

decorative relate terms

• decorative

  Decorative Etymology Decorative etymology refers to the practice of ascribing fanciful or

• condign

  Etymology The word condign has its origins in Latin con meaning together or wi

• dainty

  Etymology French daint delicate c 1300 Middle English deyntee dayntee c 1340 O

• decent

  Etymology Latin decens befitting proper becoming Proto Indo European dek ri

• decor

  Etymology The word decor comes from the Latin word decorus which means proper fi

• decorate

  Etymology Latin decorare to adorn beautify Proto Indo European deḱ to grow

• decorous

  Etymology Latin decorus seemly becoming Proto Indo European dek decency com

• deign

  Etymology The word deign originates from the Old French word deignier which in turn

• dignify

  Etymology The word dignify comes from the Latin word dignus meaning worthy or d

• dignity

  Etymology The word dignity comes from the Latin word dignitas which means worth or

• diplodocus

  Etymology Name Diplodocus Meaning Double beam Origin Greek words diploos double

• disciple

  Etymology The word disciple comes from the Latin discipulus which means pupil or

• discipline

  Etymology Latin disciplina Meaning instruction teaching training Origin discer

• disdain

  Etymology The word disdain comes from the Old French word desdaignier meaning to

• docent

  Etymology The word docent is derived from the Latin verb docere which means to teac

• Docetism

  Etymology The term Docetism derives from the Greek word dokein which means to seem

• docile

  Etymology Latin docibilis teachable gentle Ultimately from Proto Indo European

• docimacy

  Etymology Greek δοκιμασία dokimasia testing trial Latin docimare to te

• doctor

  Etymology The word doctor derives from the Latin word docēre meaning to teach M

• doctrine

  Etymology The word doctrine originates from the Latin word doctrina which means tea

• document

  Etymology The word document originates from the Latin word documentum which means p

• dogma

  Etymology Greek dogma δόγμα meaning opinion belief decree Meaning A

• dogmatic

  Etymology The word dogmatic originates from the Latin word dogma which means doctr

• doxology

  Etymology From Late Latin doxologia from Greek δοξολογία doxologia from δ

• heterodox

• indignance

  Etymology Late Latin indignatio from Latin indignari to be indignant from Indi

• indignant

  Etymology Indignus Latin meaning unworthy undeserving ant Suffix denoting a qual

• indignation

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

• indignity

  Etymology Latin indignitas unworthiness indignity Proto Indo European dheigh

• orthodox

  Etymology The word orthodox derives from the Greek words ortho meaning right st

• paradox

  Etymology The word paradox originates from the Greek language para παρά mea

• synecdoche

  Etymology and Origin The word synecdoche originates from the Greek words syn togethe

• cosmetic

  Etymology Cosmetic derives from the Late Latin word cosmeticus which means relati

• attic

  Etymology The word attic is derived from the Greek word attikos which means of or

• frieze

  Etymology The word frieze derives from the French word frise which in turn comes fro

• nacre

  Etymology Proto Romance nac c ara Late Latin naccara plural meaning mother of pear

• stipple

  Etymology Origin Middle English stipelen Meaning to dot or speck Root Old Englis

• novelty

  Etymology Old French nouvelete Latin novellus new fresh Proto Indo European n

• vignette

  Etymology The word vignette comes from the French word vigne meaning vine or vine

• cross

  Etymology The word cross comes from the Old English word cros which itself is deriv

• assiduous

  Etymology Latin assiduus constant diligent Proto Indo European h₂ses to se