discursive etymology

Discursive Etymology

Meaning: Discursive etymology, also known as "folk etymology," refers to the process of deriving the origin of a word based on its current form, often creating a new, but incorrect etymology. It is based on the intuition of the speaker rather than on historical evidence.

Origin: The term "discursive etymology" was coined by the German philologist August Schleicher in the 19th century. It is derived from the Latin word "discursus," meaning "discourse," which itself is related to "currere," meaning "to run."

Process: Discursive etymology occurs when a speaker or writer hears a word and, based on its sound or appearance, associates it with another word that has a more familiar or appealing meaning. This association often leads to the creation of a new etymology, which may have no basis in historical fact.

Examples:

• Chaucer: "Chaucer" is often thought to derive from "chause-cier," meaning "maker of stockings," due to its similarity to the French word "chausser" (to put on shoes). However, the actual origin is Middle English "Chaucyer," which was a surname derived from the French town of Chaussée.
• Stairs: The word "stairs" is mistakenly connected to the Latin word "stella" (star) due to its resemblance to the word "star." In reality, "stairs" comes from the Old English word "staeger," meaning "to climb."
• Curfew: The term "curfew" is often believed to come from the French "couvre-feu" (cover fire), but it actually derives from the Old French "cuevrefeu" (cover fire), which referred to a bell rung at nightfall to signal the time to extinguish open flames.

Consequences:

Discursive etymology can lead to the dissemination of incorrect information about the origins of words, which can have implications for historical and linguistic research. However, it can also be a source of amusement and cultural insight, reflecting the creative and playful nature of language use.

discursive relate terms

• discourse

  Etymology Discourse n comes from the Old French descourir from the Latin discurrere

• essay

  Etymology and Meaning of Essay The word essay originates from the Old French term es

• reasonable

  Etymology The word reasonable has its roots in the Latin word ratio which means rea

• intuitive

  Etymology Latin intuere to gaze at consider understand Intuitio a looking at

• battery

  Etymology Battery comes from the Late Latin word batteria meaning a beating Meani

• deed

  Etymology The word deed comes from the Middle English word dede which in turn der

• meat

  Etymology The word meat comes from the Old English word mete which means food or

• solution

  Etymology The word solution is derived from the Latin word solutio which means loo

• cardinal

  Etymology The word cardinal comes from the Latin word cardinalis meaning chief or

• obvious

  Obvious Etymology Middle English obviouse from Latin obvius meaning in the way

• shall

  Etymology Origin Old English sceal to owe be obliged from Proto Germanic skula