| Etymology is the study of the origins of words.As | | | | which by the way can show multiple meanings for one |
| languages develop the meaning of words can change | | | | word, and there is the definition of the word in slang. |
| over time. This causes confusion and misunderstanding | | | | As well, slang words spread faster and are used |
| when communicating with other people. | | | | more often than before, making them common place |
| In a world were you make a living at communicating, | | | | in many societies.Due to the advancement of science |
| advertising or marketing, it is not only important to have | | | | and technology, new words are also being created at |
| clarity in your message, it is also important to think of | | | | an amazing rate. Keeping up with some of the new |
| your target market and understand how they | | | | words and your usage of them will help in your efforts |
| understand words and messages.On the positive side | | | | understand and to become a master |
| that words change meaning over time, it has been | | | | communicator.Once every ten years, the Merriam- |
| noted that languages that stay alive, adapt and grow | | | | Webster dictionary is updated. Their 11th edition for |
| over time.An example would be the word nice. Nice | | | | 2003 included some 10,000 new words along with |
| used to be an insult and meant foolish or stupid in the | | | | 100,000 new meanings to words already existing and |
| 13th century and it went through many changes right | | | | some 225,00 revised definitions.Some of the slang |
| through to the 18th century with meanings like wanton, | | | | words that have made it in the dictionary |
| extravagant, elegant, strange, modest, thin, and shy or | | | | are;Headbanger- a hard rock musician and a fanDead |
| coy. Now it means a good & pleasing or thoughtful & | | | | presidents- Paper currencyPrairie Gophering - people |
| kind.Silly meant blessed or happy in the 11th century | | | | who peer above their cubicles at work.McJob- Low |
| and went through pious, innocent, harmless, pitiable and | | | | paying and dead-end work.Comb-over- an attempt to |
| feeble minded before ending up as foolish or | | | | cover a bald spotYou can learn about more words in |
| stupid.Pretty started as crafty this changed to clever | | | | an etymology dictionary.We can use this as another |
| or skillfully made, then to fine and ended up as | | | | reminder, especially when it is important to have a |
| beautiful.Some other changes are: Word ______ | | | | group goal achieved, that what a word means to us, |
| Original Meaning | | | | may not have the same meaning to someone |
| Awful________ Deserving of awe | | | | else.There is also the emotional reactions that different |
| Bead _________Prayer | | | | people have to certain words. But that's another |
| Brave_________ Cowardice (as in bravado) | | | | story...All the Best! |
| Girl__________ Young person of either sex | | | | Maria Boomhower |
| Neck_________ Parcel of land (as in neck of the | | | | The Master Communicator |
| woods) | | | | |
| Nuisance______ Injury, harm | | | | |
| Sophisticated___Corrupted There are several | | | | Ezine sign-up Click HereP.S. If you like what you're |
| reasons for words change meaning. One is the | | | | reading in this ezine, you'll |
| influence of other languages and cultures. Throughout | | | | love the book, "Overcoming Barriers to |
| history, many nations through conquering or intermixing | | | | Communication." |
| with one another, introduced their own languages into | | | | It's a manual that helps you overcome the challengers |
| the mix. Another reason is the predominate use of | | | | that start with |
| slang words. We get so used to using them that many | | | | Intrapersonal to Interpersonal and on to Mass |
| times we forget that we even are.So when it comes | | | | Communication. |
| to defining words, there is the standard dictonary, | | | | |