killjoy etymology

Etymology:

• Killjoy is a compound word derived from two Middle English terms:
  • "Kill": From Old English "cwellan", meaning "to kill".
  • "Joy": From Old French "joie", meaning "joy" or "pleasure".

Meaning:

Killjoy refers to a person who intentionally or unintentionally dampens the spirits of others, ruins their fun, or disappoints them.

Origin:

The term "killjoy" first appeared in the early 16th century in various literary works, including:

• William Langland's "Piers Plowman" (1362-1399)
• John Skelton's "The Boke of Phyllyp Sparowe" (1508)
• William Tyndale's "The Practyse of Prelates" (1530)

In these early uses, "killjoy" often referred to a person who hindered religious joy or spiritual experiences. Over time, the meaning evolved to encompass any act or person that spoiled the enjoyment or happiness of others.

Usage:

Killjoy is commonly used as a noun to describe someone who acts in a joy-dampening manner. It can also be used as an adjective to describe such actions or behaviors, as in "a killjoy attitude".

Examples:

• "He's such a killjoy, always ruining the party."
• "The news was a killjoy, dampening our spirits for the day."
• "Her killjoy comments made the gathering uncomfortable."

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