English words that have lost/changed their meanings

[HeyMarlana]

This could be helpful for those learning English, and a fun reminder to those who are native speakers, or those fluent to a native-level of understanding.

What are examples of English words that, over time, have lost their original meaning and now typically mean something else. This topic was inspired by @Davey944676 from an mChat message regarding the word "bird". In the UK, the word "bird" has become just as common to refer to a woman. (In Canada/US we use the word "chick".)

Another example is the word "bad". Back in 1987, Michael Jackson released the album "Bad", which in recent years up until that point, the word was changed to mean (in street-talk) that something is so good, that it's bad. For years, the word "bad" stuck to describe things or people that were actually good, cool, or envied. It was normal to hear someone say, "That's one bad outfit" to mean that it's good. Note: "bad" still means its original definition, but we determine the context if someone is using it to mean something good.

What are some other examples of a word that meant something (and by definition, still does), but we've accepted now for it to mean something else?

[IceVajal]

I read some book club picks, all Classics, and the word 'gay' is used a lot.

Here is what Wikipedia says: The term originally meant 'carefree', 'cheerful', or 'bright and showy'. While scant usage referring to male homosexuality dates to the late 19th century, that meaning became increasingly common by the mid-20th century.

[HeyMarlana]

...the word 'gay' is used a lot.

This is a good example of a word being almost completely hi-jacked to mean something else entirely. Today, practically nobody uses the word "gay" anymore to mean happy, and it's assumed that it's meant to refer to homosexuality.

[Linda7Italian]

"Bad"? Unbelievably I found myself saying "My bad!" the other day instead of "Oh sorry, my fault" or "Oops, sorry I got that wrong!" as befits an eloquent person from the Shires in middle England. Unbelievably I quite enjoyed it and feel sure I'll use it again;-)

Ps. But if I hear another politician say "henious" again, I'll ......!

[Davey944676]

Ps. But if I hear another politician say "henious" again, I'll ......!

Hehe! Yeah, similarly, the next time that one who puffs out his stupid little chest and talks about something "beggaring belief", I'll......well, I'll post something on the BBC comments!

[Davey944676]

I have to ask, though, Linda7Italian, are you the same Linda7Italian from Duolngo?

[John Little]

I have to ask, though, Linda7Italian, are you the same Linda7Italian from Duolngo?

I'm almost tempted to ask if the Pope is Catholic. (although, I have to admit, given the number of users on Duolingo, its not guaranteed).

Having said that, a friend of ours, having just heard that famously rhetorical phrase, asked "IS the Pope Catholic?"

[IceVajal]

Another word I come across in classics which changed meaning is queer.

The origin of the word 'queer'

The history of the word 'queer' - La Trobe University:
Queer is a word of uncertain origin that had entered the English language by the early 16th century, when it was primarily used to mean strange, odd, peculiar or eccentric. By the late 19th century it was being used colloquially to refer to same-sex attracted men.
https://www.latrobe.edu.au

[Davey944676]

...By the late 19th century it was being used colloquially to refer to same-sex attracted men...

"Queer" was always a scathing, derogatory term for homosexuals when I was a kid, so I'd still feel uncomfortable using the term now, even if it's now just a specific word for something.

"Gay" has never sounded deliberately offensive in the same way.

[John Little]

...By the late 19th century it was being used colloquially to refer to same-sex attracted men...

"Queer" was always a scathing, derogatory term for homosexuals when I was a kid, so I'd still feel uncomfortable using the term now, even if it's now just a specific word for something.

"Gay" has never sounded deliberately offensive in the same way.

True.

[Davey944676]

Lest we forget.

[Linda7Italian]

Um, I'm possibly more Pavarotti than Pink Floyd, but yes, tis the same me; good to see a few familiar names from when "the learning tree" existed as did the owl in a scarf; -)

[Dana_Dany Danuta]

An interesting word is "Bully" - has an interesting etymological history.

Initially, in the 1530s, it was used as a term of endearment, meaning "sweetheart," and could refer to either sex.
This usage likely originated from the Dutch word "boel," meaning "lover" or "brother," which itself may be a diminutive of Middle High German "buole".

Over time, the meaning of "bully" shifted, evolving to denote a "noisy, blustering fellow" in the 17th century, and eventually, the negative connotation of someone who is cruel or intimidating to others.

I also recommend...

15 modern English words with different meanings in the past
https://learningenglishwithoxford.com/2 ... -the-past/

[HeyMarlana]

Another one that I just realized the other day is the word "sick".

It's gone through a few different meanings.

Once, to imply illness of course. But later on (and still used today), it would be an insult used to describe someone who was immoral or disgusting, or an act that is disgusting. "Don't eat bugs. You're/That's sick."

It was also used to suggest mental illness in a pejorative sense, in particular, psychosis, if someone said: "Sick in the head." Later, added words for humour were used when someone was exaggerating. Example: "You're a sick puppy."

We also use the word sick for the phrase "sick and tired" which originally uses the meaning of "sick" and "tired" to be used in a figurative way to mean that someone is exasperated or annoyed by something. "I'm sick and tired of the drama." Or, sick used on its own to mean the same thing: "I'm sick of the drama." Both mean that something is just getting to a person, to the point where they've had enough.

Today, it's an accepted slang for something extremely good. For example, in music, Lady Gaga's song "Love Game" it's included in the lyric: "this beat is sick". In P!nk's song "'Cuz I Can", there's the lyric: "I'm so so sick can't handle it". Both imply that something (or someone) is incredibly great.

Because of its recent changes to mean something great, the word "sick" used in these colloquial or slang terms are usually coded for street talk, or used by younger people. It wouldn't be common to hear an elderly woman tell her great-grandkids, "I just made a really sick apple pie." (If someone older did say something like this, it might just be to mimic younger people.)