Friday, April 22, 2016

A-to-Z Challenge: S

Today, we’re looking at the word step.


Step as a verb comes from the Old English steppan/staeppan, while the noun comes from steppa/staepe/stepe, where it meant a stair or stepping. So, pretty much what it’s like today. It comes from the West Germanic stap-, tread and the Proto Indo European stebh, which could mean stem, post, or to support—and is the origin word for staff. Words are weird, right?

I say that a lot. Well, it’s never not been true.

Sources
Tony Jebson’s page on the Origins of Old English

12 comments:

  1. Interesting. I wondered if this is related to steppes. I used to picture long steps of land when I had geography, but I know they don't look like that.

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  2. Words are definitely weird, you are totally right about that :). I suppose staffs and steps have things in common so coming from the same root makes a kind of sense ... maybe.
    Tasha
    Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)

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  3. So step and staff are related because they both support? That at least makes sense.

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  4. Steps do supply support, so I can see step and staff being related. And yes, words are so weird. But that is why we love them. :)

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  5. I had the sort of same association with steppes.

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  6. I like the word step and often say 'one step at a time' to myself when I'm overloaded with work.

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  7. Well, if the staff is a walking stick...

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  8. How did staff come from that? At least we use the shortest spelling possible for step.

    Susan Says

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  9. I came over from Liz and I would probable flunk basic high school English grammar now.
    If you fine the time stop in for a cup of coffee

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  10. Words are weird so you're only stating the truth.

    ~Ninja Minion Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
    Story Dam
    Patricia Lynne, Indie Author

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  11. I guess a staff can help you step, so maybe they are related...

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Please validate me.