Okay this may seem stupid, retarded, and well you may laugh but im just wondering who decides what words mean? Why can't the word road mean Penguin and the word Penguin mean road? Why is the color green, green and not red or purple who decides, i mean who gets the right to just say hey this is gonna be a road or this gonna be a penguin and how do they just come up with those names. You think they were made fun of and laughed at because i am always made fun of for making up words and just for the record no im not a loser and yes i do have to much time on my hands!!!!!!
2007-01-24 12:56:13 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Most languages and words don't come from a vacuum, they are drawn from other, pre-existing vocabulary. Road, for example, comes from the Old English "rad" meaning raid, or hostile incursion. From this we get raid, road, ride, and many other words. However, words are coined every day, often for things that did not previously exist. Come up with a good one and it will outlive you: Frisbee, Internet, Google ...
2007-01-24 13:09:08 · answer #1 · answered by Bethany 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Words come into common use through evolution of language, since centuries. Ever since man found it necessary to express his thoughts, he tried to put these into words which at that time could be understood by others, so that communication was possibe.
Words get borrowed from the different languages in use all over the world.
It is difficult to say why a particular word has been ascribed a particular meaning, though its origin could possibly be traced in the etymology of that word in a dictionary.
As times change, one word may acquire several meanings and that makes the language richer. New words and new meanings to existing words evolve constantly (many from slang), and get absorbed into current language usage.
You would find that some words have surprisingly acquired somewhat strange meanings such as 'sick' standing for 'cool'. Society at large has to accept the coining and usage of new and existing words, as it is a sign of growth and development.
2007-01-25 02:08:42 · answer #2 · answered by greenhorn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heh...that is a very good question. Actually, I've always wondered that, too, but I've never had the guts to come out and ask it! Well, I'll be checking back in to see if anyone gave you a legit answer! Luck!
2007-01-24 13:02:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Words are usually derived from things. Colors, however, I am not sure.
Please do not use the word "retarded" when talking about stupid things.
2007-01-24 13:12:46 · answer #4 · answered by Kitty 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋