imitative etymology

Meaning:

Imitative etymology refers to the phenomenon where words come to be associated with specific meanings based on their perceived similarity to other words. The words in question often have no genuine etymological connection.

Origin:

The term "imitative etymology" was first used by the German philologist Jacob Grimm. In his work "Deutsche Mythologie" (1835), Grimm observed that some words, particularly in Germanic languages, had undergone semantic shifts based on superficial similarities to other words.

How it Works:

Imitative etymology occurs when a word's sound or form suggests a particular meaning, even though the word's actual etymology may be different. This can happen for various reasons:

• Folk etymology: Words are modified based on popular beliefs or misunderstandings about their origins.
• Phonological similarity: Words with similar sounds may be associated with each other, leading to semantic shifts.
• Semantic proximity: Words that are semantically related may influence each other's meanings through imitation.

Examples:

• Nightmare: Originally from Old English "mare," meaning a demon, it became associated with the sound "nightmare" and now refers to a frightening dream.
• Cobweb: From Old English "coppeweb," referring to a spider's web, it was reinterpreted as "cobweb" due to its similarity to "cob," a male spider.
• Goosebumps: From the 16th century "goose skin," referring to the skin's resemblance to a goose's feathers, it later became "goosebumps."
• Hangover: Originally "head ache over," it was reinterpreted as "hangover" due to its resemblance to "hang on."
• Caterpillar: From Old French "chatepelose," meaning "hairy cat," it was later associated with the sound "caterpillar."

Significance:

Imitative etymology can have a significant impact on language and its usage. It can lead to the creation of new words, alter the meanings of existing words, and provide insights into the evolution of language. It also highlights the role of perception and subjectivity in shaping linguistic forms.

imitative relate terms

• imitate

  Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words It involves tracing

• imitation

  Etymology The word imitation comes from the Latin word imitari meaning to imitate

• emulate

  Etymology The word emulate comes from the Latin word aemulari which means to vie wi

• emulation

  Etymology Latin emulari to strive to equal mimic imitate From emulus rival im

• emulous

  Etymology Latin aemulus meaning rival emulator imitator Related to the verb ae

• image

  Etymology The word image comes from the Latin word imago which in turn comes from th

• imaginary

  Etymology From Latin imaginarius meaning of or relating to the imagination From M

• imagination

  Etymology Latin imaginatio image conception French imagination Meaning Ima

• imaginative

  Imaginative Etymology Imaginative etymology also known as folk etymology is a non scien

• imagine

  Etymology Imagine originates from the Latin word imaginari which means to picture o

• imago

  Etymology The word imago comes from the Latin word imago which means image or lik

• null

  Etymology From Latin nullus none Meaning Having no value quantity or signif

• imitable

  Etymology Middle English imitable from Latin imitabilis from imitari to imitate La

• imitate

  Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words It involves tracing

• imitative

  Meaning Imitative etymology refers to the phenomenon where words come to be associated w

• imitator

  Etymology Late Latin imitator from Latin imitari imitate tor agent noun suffix

• inimitable

  Etymology Latin inimtabilis in not imitabilis imitable Meaning Inimi

• 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

• counterfeit

  Etymology The word counterfeit comes from the Middle English word countrefete which

• echoic

  Etymology The word echoic etymology is believed to have originated from the Greek word

• wah wah

  Etymology The term wah wah is an onomatopoeia imitating the sound of a trumpet muted w

• whoop

  Whoop is a noun verb and interjection that refers to a sudden loud shout or cry Etymo

• roar

  Etymology Old English rarian meaning to cry or bellow Middle English roryn meaning

• squash

  Etymology Origin of the Word The word squash has several possible etymological origi

• flip flop

  Etymology The term flip flop is derived from the sound made by the sole of the shoe wh

• choice

  Etymology of Choice The word choice derives from the Old French word choisir whic

• genuine

  Etymology The word genuine derives from the Latin word genuinus which means native

• conceit

  Etymology The word conceit derives from the Latin word conceptus meaning conception