The Night of … 1670
Funny Archaic Words & Why They Exist
There’s not much to rant about at the moment. Status quo. New status quo.
We got more work done on the book. I don’t really know “how” to write a book. Universe is helping and listening to historical accounts of Europeans killing each other gives Us some ideas.
I don’t even want to start in on “those” people. At least partially your humble vagabond is partly part of that “race.” My cousin recently visited Scotland and traced the Highlander side back to the Highland Warriors. So we have warrior blood – but who doesn’t if you are from that side of the world. It’s an interesting puzzle. Guess I can go to the next Halloween party in Blue-face as William Wallace and not be accused of cultural appropriation.
Who comes up with these terms? New rule; any term with more than 5 syllables is illegitimate.
Does anyone remember when “antidisestablishmentarianism” was touring as the longest word in the english language. That was until "pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis" came and stole its thunder. I actually thought that antidisestablishmentarianism was being opposed to people who were opposed to the government and was minted in the 20th century. It would make sense. There were a lot of peeps in the 1970s who were against the government and the US establishment, ergo “dis-establishment.” Probably more humans these days are dis-establishment, anti-bank, anti-elite. However if you oppose the movement that would dis … or de-establish those powers, you would be anti (against) dis-establishment. And your movement would be called antidisestablishmentarianism. Meaning that you are in favor of maintaining the establish-quo – if I can mash up a few words.
However, “antidisestablishmentarianism” as usual has its origins in Church v Church drama. Here’s where AI comes in.
“Disestablishment: This was the political movement to remove the Church of England's status as the official state church of England, Ireland, and Wales. This meant it would no longer receive financial support from the state or have official representation in Parliament.
Antidisestablishment: This was the opposition “to” that movement. People who wanted to keep the Church of England as the established church were "anti-disestablishment."
Antidisestablishmentarianism: This is the formal political position or ideology of those who opposed disestablishment. So, an "antidisestablishmentarian" was a person, and "antidisestablishmentarianism" was their cause.
The Specific Timeline of the Word's Creation
The 1860s: The Prime Period. The word gained widespread usage during a major political crisis. In 1868, William Ewart Gladstone became Prime Minister, and his Liberal Party was strongly in favor of disestablishing the Anglican Church in Ireland (which was predominantly Catholic). This policy was a central part of their platform.
The opposition to Gladstone's policy, led by Benjamin Disraeli and the Conservative Party, was fierce. It was in the heat of this political and public debate that the term "antidisestablishmentarian" and its longer form "antidisestablishmentarianism" were coined and popularized in newspapers, political pamphlets, and speeches.
Evidence from the Record:
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) cites its first recorded use in 1900, but it notes that the related word "antidisestablishment" appears as early as 1901. However, historians of language have found earlier uses.
The Google Ngram Viewer, which charts the frequency of words in printed sources, shows a clear spike in usage beginning around 1869, which aligns perfectly with the political events.”
This word is perfect for these times. However the times aren’t perfct for this word. It’s too long. Too many syllables, like “acetaminophen.” We are still in the era when entire sentences are reduces to initials. BBLGFL. NSFW. FAFO.
Another fun word with a funny meaning and an even funnier etymology is defenestration.
It means "the act of throwing someone or something -out of a window.”
The “first Defenestration of Prague (1419) : A mob of radical Hussites (Czech religious reformers) stormed the town hall and threw the town judge and several council members out of the window onto the spears of the crowd below. This act sparked the Hussite Wars.”
Once again it’s Europeans. And once again it’s religion. What I find amazingly hilarious is that diplomats felt the need to forge a word for it. Because it was such a frequent event. But is there a word for jumping out of a window? Not “suicide.” One might need to make a stealthy escape in the night, through a low second or first story window.
If you have any suggestions leave a comment.
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