garble etymology

Etymology:

  • Middle English: garbelen, from Anglo-French garbeler, from Old French garbel, from Medieval Latin garbellare, from Arabic gharbala ("to sift, winnow").

Meaning and Origin:

"Garble" means to:

  • Alter or select information in a way that distorts its meaning or conveys a false impression.
  • To confuse or distort something through careless or intentional alteration.

It originally referred to the process of sifting grain to remove unwanted elements, such as chaff and stones. The term was later extended metaphorically to refer to the selective presentation or alteration of information to deceive or manipulate.

Historical Use:

  • The term "garble" has been used since the 14th century in English.
  • In the 17th century, it was used in the context of journalism and propaganda, as writers and publishers could selectively present information to support their own agendas.
  • In the 20th century, the term was often used in political and legal contexts, referring to the selective use of information to support a particular point of view or to conceal inconvenient truths.

garble relate terms

  • garbled

    Etymology The word garbled derives from the Middle English word garbelen which meant

  • garble

    Etymology Middle English garbelen from Anglo French garbeler from Old French garbel

  • garbage

    Etymology The word garbage entered the English language in the early 15th century It

  • garble

    Etymology Middle English garbelen from Anglo French garbeler from Old French garbel

  • grab

    Etymology Middle English probably from a Scandinavian source compare Norwegian and Sw

  • tariff

    Etymology The word tariff originated in the Arabic word ta rif meaning declaration

  • distort

    Etymology Latin distorquere meaning to twist out of shape Dis apart torquere

  • warp

    Etymology Warp comes from the Old English word weorpan meaning to throw or to cast

  • mangle

    Etymology The word mangle has a long and complex etymology that can be traced back to s

  • chiropodist

    Etymology Chiro Greek hand pod Greek foot Meaning A chiropodist is a healt

  • belie

    Etymology The word belie is derived from the Middle English belien which is itself d

  • wrap

    Etymology The word wrap originates from the Middle English word wrappen which itself

  • cognitive

    Etymology The word cognitive is derived from the Latin word cognoscere which means

  • Castor

    Etymology and Meaning Castor is a Latin name derived from the Greek word κάστωρ

  • pilgrim

    Etymology The word pilgrim comes from the Old French word pelegrin which itself ori