by Thomas Hoyt
Words are funny! Let’s face it, especially within the American English language, words are really funny. I state this because we have words that we may use that may have meant something completely different than what we think it means today. That and we have so many words that sound the same but are spelled differently and have different meaning…homophones. For example, we have there, their, and they’re. These three words sound exactly the same but are different. Isn’t that funny? 🤣
Now let’s take a look at some words that we use today which have different meaning and are the same word. For starters, poop. According to www.etymonline.com, poop has its’ origins meaning the stern or aftermost deck of a ship. You may have heard in stories the statement poop deck. It also has the meaning “excrement” dating back to 1744 being a child’s euphemism. From this is also poo, which is baby talk for excrement that didn’t start until the 1950s. I’m sure my readers who are parents have found themselves talking to our toddler children about having to go poop or poo.
Now I want to take a look at the origin of the word pee. Yes, I’m going here. 🤣 Again according to www.etymonline.com the word pee has its’ origins back again in the 1700s. I have to admit, I did not know this. This word is a verb meaning to spray with urine. The meaning “to urinate” didn’t come about until the 1800s. How about that? So again, as parents of small children, we find ourselves asking the little ones while potty training “Do you have to go pee?” Aaah, this takes me to the next word.
Again according to www.etymonline.com, potty has two different meanings. The first is an adjective meaning crazy or silly. It’s a slang term from the early 1900s and most likely was used in association with alcoholic drinking. According to dictionary.cambridge.org, this is primarily a word used in the UK meaning silly or slightly crazy. Used in a sentence, “She must have been potty to sell her car so cheap.” Hmmm…now that we know this, how many of you are going to go around calling people potty? 🤣🤣 Now we’ll look at the noun of the word meaning a child’s word for chamber pot. Ah yes, back before indoor plumbing with bathrooms having a toilet people used a chamber pot to go pee and/or poo. Potty dates back to the 1940s.
Okay, a word less silly…er, potty that I want to look at is simple the word chip. Specifically, the American English potato chip. We all know what these are and enjoy eating them. However, if you happen to travel to London, England, UK, and order chips with your meal you may be surprised when they deliver your plate. Chips in England are what we in America call fries. Have you ever had fish and chips? That term comes from the British. Fish and chips, or steak and chips…that is British English. Now if you want chips as a side, the British English word is crisps. I know, it’s a mouthful. 🤣
Yes, words are funny! 🤣
Keep laughing folks! 😊
The Buchanan Chronicle 