You are probably thinking about Charles Darwin or Biology or Natural selection or anything that is connected to the ‘usual’ evolution. Well, sorry, I am talking about evolution of words. I was reading a blog two days ago that had 5 words that have evolved in meaning. These words meant something completely different or even opposite a few years from what it means now. I knew then there were more words out there, I started looking for other words and I found a lot of them but I will share 10 of the most fascinating. There were a few of them I don’t agree with and I will share those as well. Mostly I think they are still used for both purposes.

1. AQUARIUM: This means a tank of water in which fish and some water creatures are kept. A long time ago it was a place to water cattle.

2.BACHELOR: A man who is not and has never been married. This word has actually gone through a few changes. It was a young man hoping to become a knight and even before that, it was a poor young soldier.

3. CENTURY: This used to mean a 100-man Roman army. Today, when you hear century, we all think a period of a 100 years. I also found that century could mean a bicycle race of 100 miles. And a score of a 100 in a cricket match. So somehow, there is still the 100.

4. CUTE: This is a actually shortened for acute. Years ago, it meant keenly perceptive or shrewd(mischievous, malicious). The word has evolved to mean attractive in a pretty or endearing way.

5. DESIRE: Desire used to mean to study the stars carefully, it was an astrological term. A strong feeling of wanting to have something is what it means in today’s language.

6.GIRL: Today, girl is a female child or a relatively young woman. In the past, it was the word used for a young person of either sex.

7. LEFT: When facing north, the part of your body facing west is your left. It could also mean a political or social view. Left originally meant weak.

8. MANAGE: Manage used to have a pretty literal meaning, the age at which one becomes a man. Today manage means to be in charge of, to administer or to control.

9. MONOCHROME: Monochrome is basically black and white today. If you were born in the 17th century, you would use the word monochrome to describe different shades of a single color.

10. NERVOUS: If you are nervous, it means you’re easily agitated or alarmed, a feeling resulting from anxiety and anticipation. Years ago, nervous meant being strong and vigorous.

I think this is really fascinating. I found a lot of words but these were my favorites. I found an article on a website also talking about words that have changed meaning. I was shaking my head the whole time I was reading it. I will share 2.

1. TOOL: It said tool used to mean something you dug up a garden with, today it means someone who is unintelligent. I think the former still has more prevalence than the latter but that’s just me.

2. SICK: According to the article, sick used to mean ill, but now it is used to describe something amazing. I am sure when I tell my friend I am sick, the last thing they’re thinking is ‘she just said she is amazing!’

So there you have it, I hope you find this as fascinating and intriguing as I did. Until next time, be kind and know that you’re loved.