Having taught English and other subjects for just over 32 years, and having studied, read, and spoken, four other languages I consider myself a bit of a linguist. English, it would appear, morphs more quickly than most other languages, steals from them, redfines, and moves about.
An interesting couple of examples: first the change in meaning over the last century for the word "Gay". The Christmas carol was "Don we now, our gay apparel" with no reference whatever to sexual orientation. Similarly, when I was young, the word 'streak' referred to a smudge on a window. Then it became someone running naked through a sports event. It appears to once more be a smudge.
Don't be frustrated if words change their meaning. I could take you on a very complex theological dive into the meaning of some scriptural words and terms too. Not the subject matter of this forum. Change is just the way (to the horror of lawyers writing contracts and legislators writing laws) ...the way English works.
Rev'd Father Bill White: Mostly retired Parish Priest & former Elementary Headmaster. Lover of God, dogs, most people, joy, tradition, humour & clarity. Legion Padre, theologian, teacher, philosopher, linguist, encourager of hearts & souls & a firm believer in dignity, decency, & duty. A proud Canadian Sinclair with solid Welsh and other heritage.
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