ON THE MEANINGS OF WORDS.—No. 2.

Every body must be aware that the same word has sometimes several significations; and that words at the present day are often used in a different sense from that which they had a few centuries ago, or even in the time of our fathers. This necessarily arises from the great changes that are constantly taking place in society: new inventions and new ideas either require new words to express them, or render it necessary to use old words in new senses. Owing to the rapidity with which a population of a mixed character is pouring into the United States of North America, we find that new words are in the process of formation, because they are wanted; and we find also, that the English language in that country is occasionally borrowing a word from the language of the new comers. Thus, for instance, in some parts the word plunder is vulgarly used to signify baggage, having been introduced by the German settlers. A man who is just arriving at his place of destination may chance to hear himself spoken of in the following terms: “Mr. B. is just come with his plunder.” We do not mean that it should be inferred from this that the English language is much corrupted in the United States: on the contrary, we believe it is spoken with greater purity by a proportionally larger number in that country than in Great Britain. But still such changes as we have alluded to are taking place there with more rapidity than among ourselves.

One of the principal divisions of grammar is etymology, by which term is meant “the classifying of words which resemble one another in the mode in which they are written, and in the general meanings assigned to them.” The term etymology also includes “the tracing of the different significations of a word, and showing how one proceeds from another.” This latter division of the subject is one of great extent, and often of great difficulty; and though not well adapted either for the amusement or instruction of all classes of readers, yet it is still highly curious and interesting to many. The history of some words would be much more amusing than the lives of half the people included in our common Biographies.

Thus, to take a few familiar instances of the changes which words have undergone, we all know pretty well what is now meant by a knave; but this word formerly signified a servant, or person of inferior condition, who waited on a superior. In our translation of the Bible, the words “cunning workman” signify a “skilful workman”; but the word cunning has now a different meaning. Whose fault it is that these two words have changed their signification—whether it is the fault of the master or the man, we will not venture to decide.

It should be remarked that our language at present contains, in many instances, two sets of words which signify the same things. Such words as velocity, effeminate, timid, executed, differ respectively very little in meaning from the words swiftness, womanish, fearful, and done. The words of the former class are of Latin origin, and have for the most part been introduced into our language either directly from the Latin, or from the French and the Italian. We have received a large addition to such words within the last century; and we are still receiving them rather faster than they are wanted. Words of the second class belong to the real substance of our language, and may be called words of Saxon origin: it is this part of our language which resembles so closely the Dutch, the German, and some other European languages that belong to one and the same family.

As a specimen of our pure unmixed language, we can find none better than the received version of the Bible, which, for simplicity, force, and clearness, is hardly equalled by any other composition in the English tongue. The Lord’s prayer is a perfect example of 179genuine English: it contains very few words of Latin origin. It is altogether composed of pure Saxon terms; and for this reason alone, independent of its internal excellence, it would merit our peculiar attention, as showing the genuine beauty and simplicity of our ancient Saxon tongue.

The writings of Dr. Johnson may be considered as a specimen of Latinized English, which, though sometimes sounding and forcible, is more frequently bombastic, unmeaning, and disagreeable to all who relish simplicity, either in manner or in language. As a general rule, it may be safely affirmed, that our best writers, by which term we mean the best both in matter and in language, prefer words of Saxon origin; while those who pretend to more knowledge than they possess, are fond of dressing the littleness of their thoughts in the most gaudy attire they can find. Even the menders of shoes have caught the infection; and instead of the plain old announcement of “shoes mended here,” we are now frequently told that “repairs are executed;” while perhaps at the next door we may learn that “funerals are performed.”

It is of more importance than at first sight it may appear, that our children should be well trained to use and understand the Saxon part of our language; for though it is true that we now possess numerous Latinized words which are both useful and indispensable, it is also true that a great number of our words which come from the Latin or French do not convey ideas so clear and precise as the genuine words of our language. In composing books, then, for young children of all classes, but more particularly those of the poorer class, it is of great importance to avoid Latinized words as much as possible. When they have made some progress in understanding the meanings of the Saxon words, they may read books in which Latinized words are used whenever they are found necessary, which, we venture to say, will not often be the case.

In our next number we shall commence the classification of the Saxon nouns of our language.