Over the years, words can change meaning significantly. Originally, describing someone as \u201csilly\u201d would have meant they were blessed with worthiness \u2013 but that definitely isn\u2019t the case today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While some words change meaning completely, others have developed from the original Latin word in ways that make sense. In fact, some are so close that you could drop them into conversation with an Ancient Roman and they would likely to know exactly what you mean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Take a look at these 9 words that have been handed down from Latin and still resemble the word or meaning they originally carried\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe company was in a state of flux since the board were fired.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If someone or something is considered to be in a state of \u201cflux\u201d they are going through some kind of change. Interestingly, the Latin origin of this word is \u201cfluxus\u201d \u2013 which meant flowing or loose. Clearly, these words can relate to change \u2013 but there are other \u201cflow\u201d words that stem from \u201cfluxus\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFluent\u201d now describes a language that flows out of us with little effort \u2013 but it originally mean an \u201cexcessive flow\u201d of blood or excrement that was related to illness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s also thought that \u201cflush\u201d could relate to the Latin origin of \u201cflux\u201d. If we flush something, we let water flow through it to cleanse it. Equally, if you have a \u201cflush\u201d in a card game, a specific suit flows through all those cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe law firm were sent a facsimile of the contract.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re born after 1990, you might not remember fax (short for \u201cfacsimile\u201d) machines \u2013 a combination of a copier and a telephone that scanned, sent, then printed paper copies of documents between businesses using the phone line. Today, the internet handles these jobs more effectively \u2013 but pre-internet, these were popular with lawyers, accountants, and other businesses that needed quick delivery of paperwork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To understand the root of this word, we need to combine \u201cfacere\u201d meaning \u201cto make\u201d and \u201csimile\u201d meaning \u201clike\u201d. Combine the two and you get a phrase that means \u201cto make like\u201d. Fax machines machines were given a shortened version of the word \u201cfacsimile\u201d because they \u2018made a likeness\u2019 of a document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHis religious upbringing meant he would remain celibate until he was married.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, we tend to use the word \u201ccelibate\u201d to mean someone is \u201cabstaining from sexual relations\u201d \u2013 typically for religious reasons. However, the original Latin meaning was a little different. Back then, \u201ccaelibatus\u201d actually meant \u201cunmarried\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is an interesting reflection on how cultures change too. Today, many people engage in sexual relations before marriage \u2013 but in the past, marriage and a person\u2019s first experience of sexual intimacy usually went hand-in-hand. This perhaps explains why the words have shared a meaning in the past. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe rebel fighters were almost certainly guilty of this atrocity.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When we hear about wars and violent regimes, they\u2019re often linked to the word \u201catrocity\u201d \u2013 an extremely cruel, criminal act that\u2019s carried out, usually against other people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As such, you probably won\u2019t be surprised to hear that the Latin origin of this word, \u201catrox\u201d means \u201ccruelty, fierceness, harshness\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Although the word \u201catrocity\u201d still carries it\u2019s strong meaning, there are words that have developed from \u201catrox\u201d that don\u2019t carry the same strength. For instance, if you describe a meal as \u201catrocious\u201d \u2013 it now just means that it was appallingly bad \u2013 but probably not evil! <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs someone used to interviewing politicians, she was used to hearing ambiguous answers.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If something is ambiguous, it\u2019s open to having more than one meaning or interpretation. For instance, if a delivery driver says your parcel will arrive \u2018soon\u2019 \u2013 does that mean in the next 10 minutes? Or the next 3 days?<\/p>\n\n\n\n The original Latin word was actually \u201cambigere\u201d roughly meaning \u2018to waver, go around\u2019. This then developed into \u201cambiguus\u201d which meant \u201cdoubtful\u201d. Both these meanings have relevance to the modern meaning of the word \u2013 often used to describe a person who finds a way to avoid answering a question by doing so with a doubtful answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTony was pleased to see his plan for the sales team was on the meeting agenda.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t like wasting time, you\u2019ll usually be pleased to see that a meeting has a tight \u201cagenda\u201d \u2013 a list of things that need to be covered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s been a long time since \u201cagenda\u201d was spoken in Latin to talk through the running order of a meeting in the Roman Empire \u2013 but the meaning has barely changed. Back then, \u201cagenda\u201d literally meant \u201cthings that ought to be done\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHis therapy sessions were followed by days of serious introspection.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When we talk about introspection today, we\u2019re usually talking about considering our inner-most feelings, desires, or motivations. The ability to be \u201cintrospective\u201d is often closely associated with people who have higher emotional intelligence \u2013 considering how their feelings impact their actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Probably unsurprisingly \u2013 considering how many philosophers came from Ancient Rome \u2013 the word hasn\u2019t changed a great deal since it was first used in Latin. The word is a combination of the Latin \u201cintrospicere\u201d \u2013 which breaks down into \u201cintro-\u201c which means \u201cinward\u201d and \u201cspecere\u201d which means \u201cto look at\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe was na\u00efve to assume she was telling the truth \u2013 she\u2019d lied to him countless times before.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, when we describe someone as \u201cna\u00efve\u201d we suggest that they have a lack of wisdom or judgement \u2013 perhaps a lack of real-world experience that shows as innocence. It\u2019s a term that\u2019s also used in the art world to describe a composition that\u2019s very direct and somewhat child-like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Latin origin of the word is actually \u201cnativus\u201d \u2013 which is also the root of the word \u201cnatural\u201d. The link between these words and the word na\u00efve is perhaps a little clearer when we understand this common root. If someone is na\u00efve, they might be considered to be in their natural state \u2013 unjaded by the world and other people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHer appearance identified her as a renegade \u2013 she didn\u2019t care what the other party-goers thought.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re described as a \u201crenegade\u201d you\u2019re probably someone who rejects the norms that someone or society is eager for them to conform to. The punk music movement was full of renegades \u2013 and there are plenty of renegades in movies and TV shows; think Walter White and Jesse Pinkman or perhaps Loki in the Avengers franchise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Latin root of the word \u201crenegade\u201d is \u201creneg\u0101tus\u201d and taps into this rebellious attitude \u2013 it simply means \u201cI deny\u201d. In fact, the original renegades were likely to be people who denied the existence of a deity and became apostates from a religious faith.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Over the years, words can change meaning significantly. Originally, describing someone as \u201csilly\u201d would have meant they were blessed with worthiness \u2013 but that definitely isn\u2019t the case today. While some words change meaning completely, others have developed from the original Latin word in ways that make sense. In fact, some are so close that… <\/p>\nFacsimile<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Celibate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Atrocity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ambiguous<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Agenda<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Introspection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Na\u00efve<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Renegade<\/h2>\n\n\n\n