Well said bashadow. While I think it's good to try to know about the origins or history of language, we can only know so much! And most of what people get by on a regular day involve slang and a constantly evolving dialect. Both worlds are important though I think!
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They have to be, we can not use todays meanings for yesterday's writings, the words evolve, the meanings evolve, and I am not talking just over a long time, short time changes as well. 1920 -Gay was totally different word. Original War of the Worlds Masterbate was completely different meaning. Lots of words change generally for the worst, same as with symbols, they get co-opted by a group, then they give it their meaning. Originally an ancient cosmic or religious symbol thought to bring good luck. Most people know what it is, they know the name of it, how many know the history of it. One day it will return to what it was. One day gay will mean a happy go lucky person again, and one day masturbation may return to it's old usage of mumbling words to god. Things change, grow and evolve, nothing stands still, not even time. (I heard that somewhere, it didn't make sense then it still does not make sense-"nothing stands still, not even time"-that part).
I tend to agree! But.. masturbation means mumbling words to god? I couldn't find that on the site I use.. Do you have a link I could read about that? Sounds interesting.
In regards to nothing standing still, I dunno if that's true or not. It seems like we're in a dual reality sometimes so that if there is movement there should also be stillness as well. But.. Who knows the ultimate truth in regards to a lot of these things! They are very difficult if not impossible to prove in some cases i think..
I just checked, did a quick skim through War of the Worlds, and I could not find it again, so my mind could be playing tricks, but I was sure that was the story I saw it in, and when I clicked to define it's usage it came up with mumblings to god, but, I am unable to locate it again, so it is not a reproducible result, so mind issues with myself I guess. Or Kindle messing with me. I should have saved it when i saw it. So sorry, no link, I have tried to find it though.
Ah. Okey doke. Thanks for the clarification and trying to find it! Perhaps I should do a google search and see if it comes up with anything..