It is hard to imagine that a word like “awful” once met something closer to “awesome” than “terrible,” but if you think about it and break it down, it kind of makes sense – awe/full or in other words “full of awe.” These are 25 original word meanings that will surprise you!
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Manufacture
Source: wiktionaryCurrent meaning – to mass produce with machinery
Original meaning – create by hand
Doom
Source: wiktionaryCurrent meaning – an unhappy destiny
Original meaning – a law or ordinance
Last
Source: wiktionaryCurrent meaning – final
Original meaning – highest
Protest
Source: wiktionary, Image: commons.wikimedia.org (public domain: author's life + 100 yrs)Current meaning – show disapproval
Original meaning – make a solemn declaration
Hilarity
Source: wiktionary, Image: pixabay.com (public domain)Current meaning – boisterous merriment
Original meaning – calm joy
Bully
Source: wiktionary, Image: pixabay.com (public domain)Current meaning – a person who is habitually cruel to others
Original meaning – a fine chap
Radical
Source: wiktionary, Image: commons.wikimedia.org (public domain: threshold of originality not met)Current meaning – very different from the usual
Original meaning – fundamental
Pretty
Source: wiktionaryCurrent meaning – attractive
Original meaning – sneaky
Guy
Source: wiktionary, Image: www.publicdomainpictures.net (public domain)Current meaning – a man
Original meaning – a person of grotesque appearance
Brave
Source: wiktionary, Image: pixabay.com (public domain)Current meaning – having courage
Original meaning – showy
Egregious
Source: wiktionaryCurrent meaning – really bad
Original meaning – really good
If you’re enjoying this post, be sure to take a look at 25 Interesting and Somewhat Strange Word Origins.
Nervous
Source: wiktionary, Image: pixabay.comCurrent meaning – anxious
Original meaning – strong
Pedant
Source: wiktionary, Image: commons.wikimedia.org (public domain)Current meaning – someone who shows off their knowledge
Original meaning – a male schoolteacher
Garble
Source: wiktionaryCurrent meaning – to alter or distort
Original meaning – to sift
Evil
Source: wiktionaryCurrent meaning – morally reprehensible
Original meaning – uppity
Awful
Source: wiktionaryCurrent meaning – terrible
Original meaning – amazing (awe/full)
Nice
Source: wiktionaryCurrent meanning – kind
Original meaning – foolish
Sad
Source: wiktionary, Image: commons.wikimedia.org (public domain: ineligible for copyright)Current meaning – affected by grief
Original meaning – content
Artificial
Source: wiktionary, Image: pixabay.com (public domain)Current meaning – contrived
Original meaning – skillful
Facetious
Source: wiktionaryCurrent meaning – inappropriately joking
Original meaning – well mannered
Nuisance
Source: wiktionary, Image: commons.wikimedia.org (public domain)Current meaning – annoying or unpleasant
Original meaning – injurious or harmful
Sophisticated
Source: wiktionary, Image: pixabay.com (public domain)Current meaning – very complicated
Original meaning – unnatural
Stupid
Source: wiktionary, Image: pixabay.com (public domain)Current meaning – slow of mind
Original meaning – amazed
Passenger
Source: wiktionary, Image: www.pexels.com (public domain)Current meaning – a traveler in a vehicle
Original meaning – someone traveling by foot
If you enjoyed this post, check out 25 Words You Are Probably Saying Wrong.
Angel
Source: wiktionary Currently means – a messenger that acts on behalf of a higher being
Original meaning – any hired messenger
Photos: 25. Hans Splinter via flickr, 24. Chris Potter via flickr, 23. Retouched by Papa Lima Whiskey 2 via wikimedia commons/ photo original by shrimpo 1967 via flickr, 18. Joey Gannon via flickr, 15. Sarah Reid via flickr, 12. Grand Canyon National Park via flickr, 11. quotes everlasting via flickr, 10. Selena N. B. H. via flickr, 9. Quinn Dombrowski via flickr, 6. Sharon Sinclair via flickr, 1. Antonio Foncubierta via flickr
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