Today’s word is my only friend, the end. Or any writer’s
only friend, really.
End comes from the Old English ende, which bizarrely enough meant end.
Before that, it was the Proto Germanic andja, which originally meant the
opposite side, and even further back in Proto Indo European it’s antjo, which means end, but more
in a boundary sense. In Proto Indo European, the word ant means before or opposite, and it’s where we get ante from.
Originally, end just meant the limits of something, like the ends of the Earth
(the only way it’s still used according to its original meaning).
So let this be a lesson to you: a person isn
Sources
Tony Jebson’s page on the Origins of Old English
Another little word with a very interesting background. :)
ReplyDeleteTasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
Ok, so now you've got me wondering about the word 'ant' as in the insect.....
ReplyDeleteThe opposite end - makes sense.
ReplyDeleteEnde meant end. Ha! That's funny. :P
ReplyDeleteThis one was actually less complicate than some others.
ReplyDeleteInteresting word especially since it meant end of the Earth and now it means so many other things as well.
ReplyDeletebetty
finis
ReplyDeleteThe apocalypse.
Something.
Our language came to us through many twists and turns.
ReplyDeleteIt's weird end meant the limits where now end means you're probably not going any further.
ReplyDeleteAhead of their time? Literally? (As my teeth grind...)
ReplyDeleteI guess "end of the earth" made more sense when they thought the world was flat.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I do love the end!
ReplyDeleteI love your conclusion!
ReplyDeleteAnte's a word that crossed my path the other day in a quote of all places.
ReplyDelete