swollen etymology

Etymology:

• "Swollen" comes from the Old English word "swellan," meaning "to enlarge or become distended."
• "Etymology" comes from the Greek words "etymon" (true meaning) and "logos" (word), meaning "the study of the true meaning of words."

Meaning:

"Swollen etymology" refers to a type of word origin that is based on speculation, folklore, or erroneous assumptions rather than proven linguistic evidence. It often involves fanciful derivations that have no credible basis, and it can lead to false etymologies that are passed down as fact.

Origin:

The term "swollen etymology" is a relatively modern coinage that has been used in linguistics since the 19th century. It reflects the increasing scientific approach to etymology, which emphasizes the need for evidence-based explanations of word origins.

Examples:

• The belief that the word "berserk" derives from Old Norse for "bear shirt," implying that Viking warriors wore bear skins into battle, is an example of swollen etymology. The true origin of the word is likely "berserkr," which may mean "bare shirt wearer" or "madman."
• The popular notion that the word "dog" comes from the sound a dog makes is another example of swollen etymology. The word is actually derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "kwon," meaning "canine."

Significance:

Swollen etymology can lead to misconceptions about the origins of words and can hinder the understanding of their true linguistic relationships. It is important to be aware of potential biases and to rely on credible sources when exploring the etymologies of words.

swollen relate terms

• swell

  Etymology The word swell has multiple etymological origins Old English swellan t

• swollen

  Etymology Swollen comes from the Old English word swellan meaning to enlarge or b

• swelling

  Etymology The word swelling comes from the Middle English word swellen which is der

• vain

  Etymology The word vain is derived from the Middle English vain which in turn comes

• bloat

  Etymology The word bloat comes from the Middle English word bloten which means to s

• intumescence

  Etymology The word intumescence is derived from Latin intumescentia a swelling

• baleen

  Etymology The word baleen is derived from the Old French word baleine which comes f

• cauliflower

  Etymology Latin caulis stem flos flower Old French chaufleor Middle English caw

• increase

  Etymology The word increase comes from the Old French word encroistre which is deriv

• surface

  Etymology The word surface is derived from the Old French word sorface which itself

• grow

  Etymology The word grow derives from the Middle English term growen which in turn or