Kwok Lau
Horacio Sierra
March 15, 2005
Definitions
Consumer
Original meaning: Someone or something that “consumes, wastes, squanders, or destroys.” Example:“I
shal reproue the consumer for youre sakes.”
Modern definition: Someone who pays for goods or services. Example: Consumer demand for more fuelefficient cars increased as gas prices went up.
Word evolution: The modern usage of the word has strayed a bit from its original meaning, although the
original form of the word is still used. Starting in the 18th century the word started to be used as the
antonym to producer, people who bought goods or services were consumers.
Faggot
Original meaning: A bundle of sticks, twigs, or small branches of trees bound together
Example: “Thou must take good green Faggots.”
Modern definition: In slang, a homosexual. Example: In writing, gay or homosexual should always be
used in place of faggot.
Word evolution: The original meaning, a bundle of sticks used for fuel, dates back to the 1300s. In the
1500s the word had a special usage that meant to burn heretics alive, later the word described the emblem
heretics who recanted were obligated to wear. Also around that time the term was used as a derogatory
word for woman. In 1914 the word was used for gay men, “All the fagots (sissies) will be dressed in drag
at the ball tonight.”
Rude
Original meaning: Uneducated, unlearned; ignorant; lacking in knowledge or book-learning. Example:
“She was nought rude ne vnmete, But couthe ynow of sich doyng As longeth vnto karolyng.”
Kwok Lau
Horacio Sierra
March 15, 2005
Modern definition: Unmannerly, uncivil, impolite; offensively or deliberately discourteous. Example:
Even though she knew she was wrong, she was rude and hostile to her parents.
Word evolution: The meaning of rude in its earlier usage meant uneducated, then unskilled or
inexperienced. Even later it described uncultured or unrefined persons, which is very close to the modern
meaning of the word.
Measly
Original meaning: 1. Esp. of a pig, or pork: affected with cysticercosis, 2. Of a person: infected with
measles; having the rash of measles. Example: “If you find little Kernels in the Fat of Pork, like Hailshot..'tis measly, and dangerous to be eaten.”
Modern definition: Inferior, contemptible, of little value; paltry. Example: My part-time job is paying me
a measly five dollars an hour.
Word evolution: The early use of the word pertained to diseased (inadequate) pork or to measles infected
people. Today, the world has changed to mean anything (not just meat) that is inadequate, although it can
still refer to people with the measles.
Knave
Original meaning: A boy or lad employed as a servant; hence, a male servant or menial in general; one of
low condition. Example: “Every Horseman hath two or thre horses, and to every horse a knave.”
Modern definition: An unprincipled man, given to dishonourable and deceitful practices; a base and crafty
rogue. Example: “The honest dealer is always undone, and the knave gets the advantage.”
Word evolution: The word was meant to describe characters of low condition, male servants, in its
earliest uses. Later the word still referred to low class persons, but the definition changed entirely to
describe essentially thieves.