The words we use

Fresh old ideas

By Arnold Malone Pioneer Columnist

The English language is alive and it has been living for a very long time. Language, like all other living things, does change. How we choose to express ourselves has evolved and our words alter their meaning through long and short periods of use.

It would be normal for a first-time reader of Shakespeare to wonder why he wrote using thee and thou so frequently. ‘Thou cold-blooded slave, hast thou not spoken like thunder on my side, …’: today this seems like archaic speech. It was, however, the everyday speech for the time.

If I were to say to you, “You are an awful person,”, the probability is that you would be insulted, hurt and perhaps angry. However, had that same sentence been said to you a few centuries ago you would have been proud, pleased and thankful.

The word ‘awful’ has literally reversed its original meaning.

Awful in its earliest use meant ‘awe full’ or full of awe. A person seeing the northern lights for the first time would have been having an awful experience because they would have been full of awe.

WARNING: Do not tell your spouse they are awful until after you are sure they have read this article.

During World War I allies executed soldiers who did not want to fight. They were considered to be cowards. The original meaning of the word ‘coward’ is ‘a boy who looks after cows’.

The word ‘silly’ a long time ago meant worthy of being blessed or innocent, yet no matter how worthy a person might be, no one today would wish to be referred to as being silly.

In middle England the word ‘nice’ was an insult. It was the equivalent of saying a person is stupid or ignorant.

The word ‘naughty’ today indicates a person who is rude or indecent. At one time naughty - coming from the word naught - meant zero or nothing. It was used to indicate a person who was poor or had nothing.

The word ‘terrible’ at one time referred only to a terrorist or one who caused terror. Today our weather, our food, road conditions and some people’s personalities, along with many other notions, may be considered terrible.

Words change their meaning over time. Sometimes a word changes after centuries of use and sometimes, in just short decades. The word thong - once a footwear – changed in less than 50 years to a different attire that is located elsewhere.

The word ‘gay’, until the 1960s, meant someone who was lighthearted or usually full of joy.

The word ‘run’ is a fascinating word: the Oxford Dictionary researchers assert it has 645 different meanings.

I will run a few past you: the bus runs every 30 minutes; she has a run in her stocking; they run a business; don’t run the water; she will run the store; he runs off at the mouth; Jimmy has run a fever; he will run the program; the engine doesn’t run; my membership has run out; they have run up a large bill; can’t talk, I must run. There are many more meanings for the word ‘run’ - some people even have a nose that runs. Pretty good work for a tiny three-letter word. However, by context, we know exactly what each use intends.

Language is fascinating - except for the new immigrants. They have to learn both our words and our nuances. Learning words is one challenge. Learning their many meanings is a life-long process. For the newly-arrived we must offer a lot of understanding. What they learn first are our words; over time they may learn the wide-range of meanings our words intend.

OMG: TTYL: LOL.

Arnold Malone served as MP for Alberta’s Battle River and Crowfoot ridings from 1974 through 1993. He retired to Invermere in 2007.

Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley Presents

Hospice Gala

Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley.

Theme: “For the Love of Chocolate”

Saturday, April 22nd, 2023

Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Eagle Ranch Resort

Tickets $60

Casual or going out for dinner dress. Buy 8 tickets for a table reservation.

778-526-5143

Our special and amazing Mom,