inflationary etymology

Meaning: Inflationary etymology is the unfounded belief that words have become inflated or debased in meaning over time through overuse or misuse.

Origin: The term "inflationary etymology" was coined by the English philologist Walter William Skeat in his 1896 book "Notes on English Etymology." Skeat argued that many people mistakenly believe that words have lost their original meaning due to overuse or fashion, when in reality, their meanings have often remained stable or even expanded over time.

Examples: Some common examples of inflationary etymologies include:

• Nice: Often said to have "lost its meaning" because it is now used to describe almost anything positive, but it originally meant "foolish" or "simple."
• Awful: Originally meant "full of awe," but now often used to mean "very bad."
• Literally: Often used figuratively, leading some to believe it has lost its original meaning of "actually" or "in fact."

Causes: Inflationary etymologies may arise for various reasons, such as:

• Misconceptions about language change: People may mistakenly believe that all words undergo semantic change over time and that those changes are always negative.
• Historical bias: Some people may assume that older or more "formal" words are inherently better than newer or more informal ones.
• Prescriptivism: The desire to impose a specific or perceived "correct" usage on language can lead to the belief that words have become "degraded."

Importance: Inflationary etymologies can be harmful because they can:

• Promote language pedantry: Lead people to criticize language use based on unsupported claims about word meanings.
• Hinder language evolution: Discourage the natural evolution of language and the creation of new meanings for words.
• Misrepresent the history of language: Give the false impression that words have lost their original meanings, when in reality, they may have changed in nuanced or meaningful ways.

inflationary relate terms

• inflation

  Etymology Inflation derives from the Latin word inflatio genitive inflationis mea

• lead

  Etymology The word lead comes from the Old English word lēad which is ultimately d

• cultivate

  Etymology Latin colere to tend cultivate Old French cultiver Middle English cul

• pristine

  Etymology Origin French pristine from Latin pristinus meaning former ancient Root

• countenance

  Etymology From Old French contenance appearance from Medieval Latin continentia

• mimosa

  Etymology Late Latin mimosa feminine of mimosus full of actors mimic from Greek mi

• consumption

  Etymology Old French consumpcion Latin consumptionem past participle of consumere t

• other

  Etymology Origin Latin alter meaning the other of two Meaning A different or

• Mediterranean

  Etymology Mediterranean comes from the Latin phrase mare mediterraneum meaning sea i