Etymology of...the most beautiful human beings :) :P

[Tanja]

I am turning over the etymology of the word woman in my mind right now. It seems rather interesting...

The etymology dictionary gives the following info: woman - O.E. wimman (pl. wimmen), alteration of wifman (pl. wifmen), a compound of wif "woman" (see wife) + man "human being."
I learnt the same at my History of English class as well. And I have also believed that it is so....what can we do with the history...

But now...I've got some doubts...

I bumped into the word womb in the book I read... Can you see the total similarity?

woman - [WUM8n]
womb - [WUM]

Isn't that tricky???

To my mind, etymology should be as follows:
womb + man = woman (a human with a womb)

Funny, isnt' it?

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by Tanja

I am turning over the etymology of the word woman in my mind right now. It seems rather interesting...

The etymology dictionary gives the following info: woman - O.E. wimman (pl. wimmen), alteration of wifman (pl. wifmen), a compound of wif "woman" (see wife) + man "human being."
I learnt the same at my History of English class as well. And I have also believed that it is so....what can we do with the history...

But now...I've got some doubts...

I bumped into the word womb in the book I read... Can you see the total similarity?

woman - [WUM8n]
womb - [WUM]

Isn't that tricky???

To my mind, etymology should be as follows:
womb + man = woman (a human with a womb)

Funny, isnt' it?

Very cool indeed. :) Woe is woman.

wo- - O.E. wif; wif+man > wimman > woman
womb - O.E. wamb, womb "belly, uterus"

Here's a site I know you'll enjoy: http://www.etymonline.com/index.html

[Tanja]

Thanx for the link! :wink:

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by Tanja

Thanx for the link! :wink:

You're welcome. 8)