What is Etymology?

If you thought etymology was the study of insects, you’re certainly not alone.

You are, however, incorrect! Entomology is actually the study of insects.

Two people sitting in front of a laptop at a conference table discussing a word document.

So, let’s look at what etymology really is and how it can improve your language and writing skills.

What is etymology?
According to the Oxford Dictionary, etymology is the study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history. In short, the etymology of a word is where it comes from, its definition, and how any of that has changed over the years. Even small words like OK have a definitive etymology. (OK comes from an 1800s parody spelling of all correct as “orl korrekt,” which was eventually shortened to OK.) There’s a whole field of “word scientists” who make it their job to study and identify the origins of words with etymology.

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What is the etymology of… etymology?
So, if all words come from somewhere, where does etymology come from? Let’s break down etymology to learn more about its origin. Starting with the suffix -ology, we know that it’s the science of something. Just like biology, zoology, and geology are the science of life, animals, and rocks, respectively. The prefix etym- comes from the Latin word, “etymon.” (Not to be confused with the company that makes cakes and doughnuts.) Etymon means “origin of a word.” When we put etymon and -ology together, we get etymology’s definition of the science of the origin of words.

Now that we understand what etymology is and where it comes from, let’s take a look at how understanding the etymology of a word can help you improve as a wordsmith.

How does etymology help with spelling?
Every language has its rules with spelling. Most of us can’t forget being told in school, “I before E, except after C, making the ‘long A’ sound like neighbor and weigh.” This, like many other rules, helps us to remember how to spell words. Understanding the etymology of a word will make it easier to spell certain words based on the language of origin. For example, if a word has Dutch origins, you know there will be a lot of vowels, and some might even be back-to-back. Latin-based words are often made of a prefix and suffix to create a specific meaning. Medical terminology is almost based entirely on a number of Latin prefixes and suffixes to build words that create a very specific description. Knowing how different languages work with spelling makes it easier to figure out complicated spelling.

“If you thought etymology was the study of insects, you’re certainly not alone. You are, however, incorrect!”

How does etymology help with vocabulary?
When we learn a new word, we don’t always know how to use it in a sentence. Understanding the etymological origins of a word makes it easier to use it in a sentence because you know its context. Knowing where words come from is a great way to build your vocabulary because it’s easier to remember what words mean. For instance, a word that isn’t commonly used but conveys a common idea is quixotic. It comes from the character Don Quixote and describes someone or something that’s a romantic, idealist, or visionary but isn’t realistic or practical in their ideas, much like the character. Those who know the story of Don Quixote understand this about his character, know that it’s fitting, and won’t have a problem using it to describe someone (and now you can, too!).

Even idioms and cliches are easier to use when you know their etymology because you have a background in where the terms come from. Saying something like, “Break a leg,” before somebody performs in a play might sound like you’re wishing ill upon them. However, the phrase comes from the early days of theater, where actors who weren’t set to perform had to stay behind a line offstage called the “leg line.” If they didn’t perform, they didn’t get paid. If an actor got to break the leg line and get on stage, then they would get paid. Telling an actor to “break a leg” means that you’re hoping for them to get a chance to perform well and get paid for their work. It doesn’t, however, come from an understudy telling a lead actor to break their leg so they get a chance to perform. Now, thanks to etymology, you know for a certainty that you can tell an actor/actress to break a leg without feeling like you want something bad to happen to them.

Understanding etymology’s definition and how it works in our everyday life is important to building a strong vocabulary. It doesn’t matter if you want to be a writer or simply want to grow your vocabulary, knowing what etymology is and how it works can help.