I have been w0ndering since lyk 4eva...can ani1 tel mi the origin of words?????????????????????...hu invented them???????....y is apple apple?
2006-08-11 05:06:55 · 4 answers · asked by utterly_soulless 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Its a big question to answer...
Most words in European languages (and also semitic and near-asian languages) derive from a language called Proto Indo-European. Imagine at the beginnings of language, you had a few different grunts that signified major things (like water, sky, person, etc). Every other thing can be described by adjusting these basic terms.
Take "Horse" for example. Horse is derived from the Latin "Equus". The Latin for "Water" is "Aqua" These two words come from the same original word in proto-indo-european (or root). The reason for this is that horses are strongly symbolic of water in prehistoric culture, because of the way they flow, their manes, tails, gallop, etc. So from a basic root of, say, "ek" which means water, you get aqua and equus.
After that, you get a lot of input from other basic languages that developed independently (but along the same basic ideas) and then fertalize into the european languages, and you get a lot of regional variations of the same original language that cross-fertalize, and make the original word quite hard to discover.
Like I said, big question, so the compressed answer I gave might not actually be that much help.... :)
2006-08-11 05:22:23 · answer #1 · answered by Azrael 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
GENERALLY SPEAKING:
Words come from 'needs'.
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They are of two types: 1.Native 2. Borrowed.
Usually, words come into use without any link to their individual meanings. Eg: eyes, ears, face, nose, ears, pots, spoons, plates etc etc
Some words are derived; they are known as derivatives.
Some words are coined / used with reasons. loonybin, bedlam, Waterloo, Nelson'e eye, Sphinx, Achille's heels,
Some words are idiomatic; they are used to mean something other than the words in them. To turn a blind eye, left-handed compliment etc etc.
So words are introduced, get currency & stay in use. Some get changed; some go out of use for no reason.
The EVOLUTION of Words is an intersting subject of study & Research.
2006-08-11 06:01:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'll be over for Scrabble....what time again? I'll bring the beer.
2006-08-11 07:04:54 · answer #3 · answered by Da Whispering Genius 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you should be more concerned with MAKING words.
2006-08-11 05:13:03 · answer #4 · answered by BRYAN w/a Y 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋