The meanings of these 5 words have changed with time
If you were to travel back in time, you would be caught off guard by the language used. Sure, it’s English and of course you have a decent command over it. However, you would find that there is a distinct variation not only in how it is used, but also in the meaning of certain words.
Over the course of the past centuries, language has not remained consistent. This is to say that as time passed, certain words acquired different meanings as the contexts in culture changed. Here are a few words which had surprisingly different meanings from what we know now.
Ambidextrous
Today, we use the word ‘ambidextrous’ as an adjective for an individual who is able to use both his left and right hands equally well. However, back in 16th century England, its noun form ‘ambidexter’ was used to refer to a person who took bribes from both sides in a legal situation. Thus, it garnered the meaning of someone being two faced, duplicitous or untrustworthy.
Jargon
You may have heard the word ‘jargon’ as a reference to complicated, exclusive-sounding language pertaining to a specific topic. Originally though, it was used to refer to the chirping and chattering of birds. In fact, it took this meaning when it appeared in Chaucer’s famous ‘Canterbury Tales.’ It arrived at its modern meaning because of the view that these chirping sounds made by birds are unintelligible to human beings.
Livid
You may have heard someone use the word ‘livid’ when they are feeling furious. However, it was first used in the 1600s with a completely different meaning. Back then, it meant ‘discoloured’ or ‘bruised’ and it didn’t taken on the meaning that we know now until 1920.
Speechless
In Old English, the word ‘speechless’ was used in quite a literal sense. It was used to describe someone who is permanently mute or physically unable to speak. The popularisation of its modern meaning is credited to Geoffrey Chaucer, who used it figuratively to say ‘stunned into silence.’
Husband
Evidently, most of us are familiar with the meaning of husband to be a married male. But, originally, a husband was actually a home-owner or the head of a household. The word itself is etymologically derived from the word ‘house’ and its root words are ‘home’ or ‘dwelling.’