delusive etymology

Meaning:

Delusive etymology refers to the incorrect or fanciful derivation of a word's origin or meaning. It involves attributing an etymology to a word that is not supported by linguistic evidence.

Etymology:

• "Delusive" means misleading or deceptive.
• "Etymology" refers to the study of the origin of words.

Origin:

The term "delusive etymology" emerged in the field of linguistics to describe the phenomenon of attributing false etymologies to words. It has been used since at least the mid-19th century.

Examples:

• "Nice" (city in France): Some people have erroneously derived this from the Latin adjective "nitidus" (shining), but it actually comes from the Latin phrase "Nicaea Colonia" (Colony of Nicaea).
• "Cucumber": Some believed it derived from "cow cum berly" (cow's milk bearer), but it actually comes from the Persian "khyar" via the Greek "sikus".
• "Silly": Often associated with the Old English word "selig" (blessed), but its true origin is unknown.

delusive relate terms

• delusion

  Etymology Late Middle English in the sense deception from Old French delusion

• delude

  Etymology The word delude originates from the Latin word deludere which means to m

• hasty

  Etymology Late Middle English from Middle English haste hastif from Anglo Norman Fre

• tardy

  Etymology The word tardy comes from the Latin word tardus meaning slow or late

• false

  False Etymology False etymology also known as folk etymology refers to a mistaken belie

• mirage

  Etymology The word mirage comes from the Latin word mirari meaning to wonder at o

• marriage

  Etymology Old English marian noun Meaning to marry take a wife Proto Germanic

• shoddy

  Etymology The word shoddy is derived from the Middle English word schodde which mean

• profit

  Etymology The word profit comes from the Latin word profectus meaning progress or

• peculiar

  Etymology Latin peculiaris meaning one s own special private From Latin pecus

• brunch

  Etymology Brunch is a portmanteau word combining breakfast and lunch Meaning

• tribe

  Etymology The word tribe comes from the Latin word tribus which referred to one of

• bust

  Etymology The word bust has two distinct etymologies depending on its meaning Meaning

• mushroom

  Etymology The word mushroom has its origins in the Old French word mouscheron which