Ch-ch-ch-changes

9/20/2021

Daily Literary Quote
“Time changes all things; there is no reason why language should escape this universal law”
- Ferdinand de Saussure
Journal Prompt
What are some (appropriate) English words whose meanings have changed over time? How do the earlier meanings compare with today's meanings? Why do you think language changes over time?

26 Comments

Anthony

9/20/2021 10:40:55 am

The word lick has changed and now in slang term. "hit a lick" now means to steal

9/20/2021 12:19:26 pm

That's awfully Devious of you

Ryan Morgan

9/20/2021 12:13:19 pm

The word cap use to mean hat on head and over time it has evolved to the meaning " not true" Language changes over time because we are evolving.

9/20/2021 12:18:20 pm

Good word to define

Garrett

9/20/2021 12:13:29 pm

One word that's changed is awesome. The earlier meaning of the word meant glorious or beautiful. And now the word means "nice" or "cool." I think language changes because as time goes on there are new things that are invented or happen.

wyatt

9/20/2021 12:25:31 pm

Language has changed because of the telaphone effect and we can never all use the same exact words and meaning

AJ Anderson

9/20/2021 12:14:43 pm

Cap- In today's world this means something like a lie or calling someone out on something you don't think is truthful. In the older context or meaning this is a hat or ball-cap something used for covering or protection.

Mason LaMont

9/20/2021 12:20:34 pm

You are not cappin.

Dakota Bigelow

9/20/2021 12:21:52 pm

No cap in that rap.

Michael Petroni

9/20/2021 12:15:02 pm

The word bro was once more about someone who is like a brother to you. It has now turned into a reference about an individual regardless of relation.

Mason LaMont

9/20/2021 12:20:08 pm

Yes bro is relative to everyone.

wyatt

9/20/2021 12:17:25 pm

cap used to be meant as a hat or something to cover your head.People now mean it as a lie.

William Rackham

9/20/2021 12:17:47 pm

A lot of words meanings have changed over time. For example the word silly use to mean to be worthy instead of being absurd. Languages change over time for conveniency.

Colter

9/20/2021 12:18:29 pm

The word silly used to mean blessed with worthiness. It means being funny or acting different now a days. We as a people are always evolving.

Eliza

9/20/2021 12:20:22 pm

I didn't know that that was the original meaning.

Eliza

9/20/2021 12:18:38 pm

Fancy is a word I think has changed over time. It used to mean like to have a crush like if someone fancies you. Now it is a word that means sophisticated or proper. But it can still be used both ways. Langue changes over time because people change over time.

Trishelle

9/20/2021 12:21:21 pm

This is a good one!

Mason LaMont

9/20/2021 12:18:45 pm

Gay used to mean happy and now it means a man attracted to another man. They relate by a man being more happy with another man than with a women. Language changes over time due to humans constantly evolving and changing the meaning to words is easier than making a new word.

Trishelle

9/20/2021 12:19:11 pm

Snowflake the original meaning is snow shaped in a way. Now it can also be used to define a liberal, easily offended people. It can be used both ways now. Language changes overtime because of the development of people.

Dakota Bigelow

9/20/2021 12:23:21 pm

Snowflake is a good word to define, definitely in today's world.

Tyler Martens

9/20/2021 12:19:54 pm

The word cheater us to by a royal officer who looked after the king's escheats now it is some who lies and tricks someone.

Eliza

9/20/2021 12:21:35 pm

That's cool I didn't know that.

Trishelle

9/20/2021 12:22:53 pm

Oh cool!

Dakota Bigelow

9/20/2021 12:20:55 pm

The word fade which regularly means for something to gradually come in and out of view. Today it can mean to have a fight with someone. Language changes because we evolve and through word of mouth and use of words can influence the change of a language or words.

Leslie Scoggins

9/20/2021 12:21:44 pm

You cant change if your always stuck in the past and language is the same. Everything has to move at the same pace or it doesn't really evolve. The way we think changes and so does our evolving thoughts.

Toby

9/21/2021 10:21:34 am

The word quell used to mean "to kill." Now it means to subdue or silence something.

Ch-ch-ch-changes

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