Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 304, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 December 1913 — MEANINGS CHANGED BY TIME [ARTICLE]

MEANINGS CHANGED BY TIME

Study of Word Building Through Centuries Brings Out Many Most Interesting Points.

Word building is as much a piece of carpentry as is house building Only it takes longer. Sometimes a century or more. And by that time the word’s first meaning is usually changed. •*

For example, the old word for "neighbor" was "sib.” One’s good neighbor was known as one’s "good sib.” This became shortened to "godsib,” and later to "gossip.” Then the word’s whole meaning changed and gossip no longer meant good neighbor, but applied to the sort of talk exchanged between good neighbors. Take the word "farmer," The old word for “farmer” was "boor/’ (And “boor” later was used for describing farmer-like or rough persons.) The farmer living nearest to

one was known as the "nighbor." and this phrase, in course of time, was twisted to "neighbor.” You’ve heard the proverb: “Little pitchers have big ears.” Well, it doesn’t refer to the utensil that holds water or goes to the corner side door "Pitcher" was a slang term with some such meaning as our word "chap” or "fellow.” Thus, "Little fellows have big ears” is a more sensible rendering of the proverb.