semantic drift
DESCRIPTION
Semantic drift, words that have changed their meanings over timeTRANSCRIPT
Semantic drift
• Semantic drift is the evolution of word usage — usually to the point that the modern meaning is radically different from the original usage.
Etymology
• Etymology is the study of the origins of words.
• As languages develop the meaning of words can change over time. This causes confusion and misunderstanding when communicating with other people.
Why words change their meanings?
• Influence of other languages and cultures.
• Predominate use of slang words.
• Advancement of science and technology
How Latin words got into English language
The Roman Empire
expanded into Britain,
bringing Latin
Latin words found
their way into the
Anglo-Saxon language
of the people in Ancient Britain
Latin word “stratum”
means “layered
road”
“Stratum”became “straets”
in Anglo-Saxon
Now called
“streets” in
modern English
How fast are words changing?
• Once every ten years, the Merriam- Webster dictionary is updated.
• Their 11th edition for 2003 included some 10,000 new words along with 100,000 new meanings to words already existing and some 225,00 revised definitions.
Words that have changed their meanings!
Words Old Meaning New Meaning
Awful Full of awe Bad or unpleasant
Ambulance Walking hospital Carries the patient to the hospital
Amuse To distract and misleadsomeone
To entertain
Apology To defend oneself Formal statement of regret
Bachelor A young man hoping to become a knight
Unmarried
Basement Toilet Foundation of a building
Words that have changed their meanings!
Words Old Meaning New Meaning
Bimbo Tough guy An attractive but empty headed woman
Bully Sweetheart , darling Harasser of the weak
Cauldrons Started out as something for heating people
Cooking utensil
Confuse To ruin someone To make something less easy to understand
Cute Acute, keenly perceptive and shrewd
Pretty and charming
Defecate To purify To discharge faeces
Diaper A special white fabric with diamond shapes
Absorbent material for babies
Words that have changed their meanings!
Words Old Meaning New Meaning
Embarrass To block or obstruct Ashamed
Garble To sort something out To mess it up
Girl Young person of either sex Only female
Grin To show your teeth in anger
Smile broadly
Husband House owner The person a woman is married to
Idiot Anybody who is not a clergyman
A stupid person
Words that have changed their meanings!
Words Old Meaning New Meaning
Imprecate To pray for someone’s good To cause harm to someone
Manage The age at which one becomes a man
To take control
Matrix Pregnant animal An environment or material where somethingdevelops
Nice Silly and foolish Pleasant, agreeable
Sad To be satisfied or settled Unhappy
Servant An admirer One who is employed to carry out duties
Words that have changed their meanings!
Words Old Meaning New Meaning
Spinster A woman who spun for a living
Unmarried girl
Stupid Surprised, amazed Lacking intelligence
Success Outcome no matter good or bad
A final good outcome
Tomboy A boy lacking good manners
A girl who acts like a boy
Zombie Name of a snake god Soulless creatures that eat brains!
REFERENCES
• http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/words-literally-changed-meaning-through-2173079
• http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Words-that-have-changed-meaning-over-the-years/-/691232/1940530/-/gmgvtl/-/index.html
• http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/05/31/735843/-The-Mad-Logophile-Words-That-Have-Changed-Their-Meaning-Part-1
• http://wethepak.com/eight-words-which-have-completely-changed-their-meaning-over-time/
• http://www.virtuescience.com/etymology-how-words-change-over-time.html