从七个词汇看词义变迁

By Marissa Calcione

The English language is constantly evolving， and there are a multitude of words out there that dont mean what they used to.1 Were talking about common words that you use every day. We take them for granted2， but at some point in history， their meanings totally changed. Some of these words did a complete 180， others went in bizarre new directions， but they all originally meant something much different.3

1. Moody

We were probably all called “moody” in our teenage years， but if we had lived before the 16th century， that might not have happened…unless you were exceptionally courageous.4 Back then， “moody” was used to describe somebody who was brave or willful5. A perfect example is Joan of Arc6. In 1429， she led the French in driving out the Anglo-Burgundians， forcing them to retreat across the Loire River.7 That was quite a brave， or “moody，” move.

“Moody” derives from the Old English word “modig，” which means “brave，” “proud，” and “high-spirited.”8 It wasnt until the 1590s that “moody” became a word people would use to describe others who were gloomy or sour.9

2. Artificial10

In todays world， when we hear the word “artificial，” we automatically think of something that is fake or unnatural.11 For instance， artificial fruit might come to mind. Or perhaps youre remembering the time your dentist mentioned artificial teeth... probably because you had a huge crack in your pearly whites from trying to take a bite out of that artificial fruit.12

And then theres artificial intelligence， a popular term that has been used in the majority of science fiction movies over the past 30 years.13 However， the original meaning of “artificial” does not have anything to do with something being unnatural or man-made. Instead， it was actually used as sort of a compliment14.

In the late 14th century， if someone was “artificial，” then they were very skilled. On the other hand， if an object was considered “artificial，” that meant it was artfully15 created. It was not until approximately16 100 years later that “artificial” took on its modern-day meaning.

3. Nice

Generally speaking， the word “nice” is quite a compliment. However， back in the late 12th century， if someone said you were “nice，” it was far from flattering17.

Way back18 when， “nice” was used to mean “foolish” and “stupid.” That sounds more like the kind of term that would start a fight instead of putting a smile on someones face. Later on in the 13th century， “nice” came to mean “timid19，” and during the 14th century， it even meant “being careful.” But finally in the 18th century， it changed to the kinder definition we know today， and ever since then， people have been using it in an endearing20 way.

4. Sad

All of us get sad every now and then. Its a normal part of life. A loved one passes away， we get overlooked for that big promotion at work， or the grocery store is out of your favorite flavor of Hawaiian Punch.21 These are all things that can make us every sad.

However， once upon a time， “sad” had a very different definition. Back in the 1300s， it was the perfect word if youd eaten too much food at dinner. After all， “sad” comes from the Old English word “saed，” which means “sated22.”

Through the years， the definition of “sad” changed to “heavy” and then “tired，” all before evolving into the word we use today. Interestingly， when “sad” took on its current definition， it actually replaced “unrot，” an Old English word that was the opposite of “rot，” a term that meant “cheerful” or “glad.”23

5. Prestigious24

“Prestigious” is a word that does not get thrown around25 very often. It is one of those words saved for the few who really deserve it. It is used for those who inspire respect and gain our admiration. However， you might be shocked to learn that up until the 19th century， “prestigious” was actually used as a derogatory26 term.

When “prestigious” made its first appearance in 1540， it was used to describe someone who practiced magic. Now， you may think to yourself， “Whats so bad about that？” Well， back then， magic was not something to be enjoyed. Parents would not hire magicians27 to come to their kids birthday parties. Instead， people who practiced magic （or illusions） were considered deceptive or full of tricks.28 They were not to be trusted.

It was not until later， when magic became a fun activity， that the definition of “prestigious” also began to change. When people were dazzled by the illusions instead of growing angry， “prestigious” gained a much more impressive definition， which is why its such a compliment today.29

6. Awful30

“Awful” is perhaps the one word on this list that should have stuck with31 its original meaning. While today it means “bad” or “terrible，” “awful” used to mean “awe-inspiring” or “full of awe.”32 In other words， if something was “awful，” then it was worthy of respect or even fear. Interestingly， the word “awesome” was once used in a similar way. However， over the years， “awesome” and “awful” have come to have completely opposite meanings.

So how did the word “awful” develop its modern-day definition？ Well， in 1809， “awful” took on the same meaning as “egefull，” an Old English word which means “very bad.” In other words， “awful” has gone from describing powerful kings and deities to insulting a friends cooking or a terrible new haircut.33

7. Silly

Everyone is a little silly now and then. It keeps life more interesting if we let loose34 a little. However， while we usually associate silliness with the Trix Rabbit， the word originally comes from the Old English “gesaelig，” which means “prosperous.”35 But “silly” continued on its definition-changing journey， and around the 13th century， it was used to mean “innocent36.”

About 100 years later， “silly” had made yet another definition change. This time， it had changed into meaning “weak.” Finally， around the 1570s， “silly” called it quits37 and ended its long journey. So now， for almost 500 years， “silly” has held the definition of “foolish” or “lacking in reason38，” and it looks like that definition is here to stay… for now.

1. evolving： 进化的；a multitude of： 大批的，众多的。

2. take sth. for granted： 认为……理所当然。

3. 这些词中，有些词义发生了180度的大逆转，有些奔向了离奇的新方向，但都与原来的意义大相径庭。do a complete 180： 180度大转弯；bizarre： 离奇的。

4. 我们在青少年时期或许都曾被说成“喜怒无常”，但如果我们生活在16世纪以前，情况就不是这样了……除非你是出类拔萃的勇敢。moody： 喜怒无常的；exceptionally： 异常地，特殊地；courageous： 有胆量的，勇敢的。

5. willful： 任性的，固执的。

6. Joan of Arc： 圣女贞德（1412—1431），法国军事家、天主教圣人，被法人视为民族英雄，在英法百年战争（1337—1453）中带领法国军队对抗英军的入侵，最后被捕并被处决。

7. Anglo-Burgundian： 盎格鲁-勃艮第人；retreat： 撤退；the Loire River： 卢瓦尔河。

8. derive from： 源出，来自； Old English： 古英语，指从450年到1150年间的英语；high-spirited： 昂扬的，勇敢的。

9. gloomy： 沮丧的，阴郁的； sour： 心情不好的，脾气坏的。

10. artificial： 人造的，仿造的。

11. automatically： 自动地； fake： 伪造的。

12. dentist： 牙医；crack： 裂缝；pearly whites： 指“牙齿”。

13. artificial intelligence： 人工智能；science fiction movie： 科幻片。

14. compliment： 恭维，称赞。

15. artfully：（制作）精巧地，显示精湛技艺地。

16. approximately： 大约，近似地。

17. flattering： 奉承的，讨人喜欢的。

18. way back： 很久以前。

19. timid： 胆小的，羞怯的。

20. endearing： 讨人喜欢的。

21. overlook： 忽视；grocery store： 杂货店；Hawaiian Punch： 夏威夷宾治，一种流行的果汁饮料。

22. sated： 过饱的，过分满足的。

23. 有趣的是，当“sad”具有目前的定义时，实际上是代替了“unrot”—— 一个古英语词汇，是“rot”的反义词，而“rot”一词意为“愉快的”或“开心的”。take on： 呈现，具有。

24. prestigious： 有名望的。

25. get thrown around： 被频繁用到。

26. derogatory： 贬义的，贬损的。

27. magician： 魔术师。

28. illusion： 幻象；deceptive： 有欺骗性的；full of tricks： 诡计多端。

29. 当人们被这些幻象搞得眼花缭乱，而不再怒火中烧时，“prestigious”就获得了一个更令人钦佩的定义，这就是如今这个词成为了赞语的由来。dazzle： 使眼花缭乱； impressive： 令人钦佩的。

30. awful： 可怕的，糟糕的。

31. stick with： 坚持，继续。

32. awe-inspiring： 使人敬畏的，令人惊叹的；full of awe： 充满敬畏的。

33. deity： 神明，神灵；insult： 侮辱。

34. let loose： 放松，使随心所欲。

35. Trix Rabbit： 特丽克丝兔，一个早餐麦片品牌形象；prosperous： 繁荣的，兴旺的。

36. innocent： 无辜的，无知的。

37. call it quits： 叫停。

38. reason： 理性。