foul etymology

Etymology

The word "foul" has Old Germanic roots:

• Anglo-Saxon: fūl
• Old Norse: fúll
• Old High German: fūl

Meaning

"Foul" originally meant "bad-smelling" or "dirty." Over time, it has acquired several additional meanings, including:

• Unpleasant or offensive: e.g., a foul odor or a foul taste
• Dishonest or unfair: e.g., a foul play or a foul bargain
• Offensive or abusive: e.g., foul language
• Inappropriate or vulgar: e.g., a foul joke
• In violation of rules or regulations: e.g., a foul in sports

Origin

The precise origin of "foul" is uncertain, but it is thought to be related to the Proto-Indo-European root "bʰu-" (bheu-*), meaning "to swell" or "to be swollen." This root is also found in the English words "putrid" and "infamous."

It is believed that "foul" originally referred to the unpleasant odor of decaying matter. As its meaning evolved, it came to be applied to other unpleasant or offensive things, as well as to actions or behaviors that are considered dishonest, unfair, or inappropriate.

foul relate terms

• fair

  Etymology The word fair originates from the Old English word fæger meaning beauti

• foul

  Etymology The word foul has Old Germanic roots Anglo Saxon fūl Old Norse fúll Ol

• pollute

  Etymology Pollute derives from the Latin word pollutus which means defiled unclean

• vile

  Etymology The word vile derives from the Latin word vilis meaning worthless chea

• sordid

  Etymology Sordid comes from the Latin word sordidus meaning filthy squalid or mea

• squamous

  Etymology The word squamous comes from Latin squama meaning scale or fish scale

• brach

  Etymology The word brach comes from the Old French word brachet which in turn comes

• change

  Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and development of words It traces words

• repellent

  Etymology Repellent comes from the Latin repellere meaning to push back or to

• list

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