Some Interesting Old English WordsSome Interesting Old English Words

DrēamDrēam Bill / BileBill / Bile

GafolGafol CwelanCwelan

BadBad

Lost Word: DreamLost Word: Dream

drēam:drēam:

1.1. joy or blissjoy or bliss

revelry, rejoicingrevelry, rejoicing

2. music2. music

Lost Word: DreamLost Word: Dream

drēam-cræft:drēam-cræft:

the art of musicthe art of music

drēamere: drēamere:

musicianmusician

“ swa mæg eac se dreamcræft ðæt se mon bið dreamere ”

Thus music makes musicians (medicine makes doctors, rhetoric makes rhetoricians).

OE translation of Boethius’s The Consolation of Philosophy

““You may say that I’m a dreamer”—John LennonYou may say that I’m a dreamer”—John LennonPeople speaking Old English would say that. People speaking Old English would say that.

Lost Word: DreamLost Word: Dream

As joy, drēam was replaced by a French As joy, drēam was replaced by a French loan: “joie.” loan: “joie.”

As music, drēam was replaced by a As music, drēam was replaced by a Latin/French loan: musica, which came Latin/French loan: musica, which came ultimately from the Greek idea of the Muse.ultimately from the Greek idea of the Muse.

Found Word: DreamFound Word: Dream

The Oxford English Dictionary shows the last use The Oxford English Dictionary shows the last use of “dream” meaning “music” in 1330. of “dream” meaning “music” in 1330.

““Dream” inexplicably appears in its modern sense Dream” inexplicably appears in its modern sense (a vision during sleep) in 1250. The Oxford (a vision during sleep) in 1250. The Oxford English Dictionary notes:English Dictionary notes:

It’s possible that one day someone just dreamed up the word. It’s possible that one day someone just dreamed up the word.

““It is remarkable that no trace of It is remarkable that no trace of dréamdréam in this sense in this sense appears in Old English; yet it is clear that it must have appears in Old English; yet it is clear that it must have existed, since the Middle English form existed, since the Middle English form drêmdrêm is regularly is regularly derived from it, and could come from no other source.”derived from it, and could come from no other source.”

Interesting Word: Bill/BileInteresting Word: Bill/Bile

In Old English, the word “bill” meant a sword.In Old English, the word “bill” meant a sword.

The word “bile” was related. It meant the The word “bile” was related. It meant the beak of a bird, which for some birds beak of a bird, which for some birds resembled a sword. resembled a sword.

The word “bile” was replaced with the Latin The word “bile” was replaced with the Latin word referring to the body fluid. word referring to the body fluid.

Ultimately, “bill” lost its meaning and took on Ultimately, “bill” lost its meaning and took on the meaning of the word “bile.” the meaning of the word “bile.”

Lost Word: GafolLost Word: Gafol

gafol: gafol: a payment or tribute made to a a payment or tribute made to a

superiorsuperior a debta debt rent owed to a landlordrent owed to a landlord

GafolGafolGaleGale

““Gale” in Modern English was contracted Gale” in Modern English was contracted from gavel and meant a periodical from gavel and meant a periodical payment of rent. Its usage died out in the payment of rent. Its usage died out in the 1919thth Century. Century.

GafolGafolGavelGavel““Gafol” merged with the French word “gabelle” Gafol” merged with the French word “gabelle”

(meaning tax) to form “gavel” which meant a (meaning tax) to form “gavel” which meant a payment. payment.

““Gavel” became a verb, meaning to divide up land Gavel” became a verb, meaning to divide up land (the British laws for Celtic land inheritance were (the British laws for Celtic land inheritance were called “gavelkind”).called “gavelkind”).

““Gavel” then became a noun again, referring to a Gavel” then became a noun again, referring to a president’s mallet.president’s mallet.

Judge Reinhold’s Court

GafolGafolGavel (disclaimer)Gavel (disclaimer)

All of that makes logical sense, but some All of that makes logical sense, but some etymologists argue that the word “gavel” etymologists argue that the word “gavel” meaning mallet actually comes from words meaning mallet actually comes from words in German and referred initially to an in German and referred initially to an actual tool that a mason used. actual tool that a mason used.

Interesting Root: CwelanInteresting Root: Cwelan

cwelan: to diecwelan: to die

cwellan: to killcwellan: to kill

cwellere, cwellend: killercwellere, cwellend: killer

cwyld: diseasecwyld: disease

cwalu: murdercwalu: murder

Interesting Root: CwelanInteresting Root: Cwelan

From these death-related words, Middle English From these death-related words, Middle English received: received:

quale: meaning death, now obsoletequale: meaning death, now obsoletequalm: meaning death, now obsolete qualm: meaning death, now obsolete (this may be the root for the modern “qualm”—a sudden sickness)(this may be the root for the modern “qualm”—a sudden sickness)

These words probably never lasted because of the These words probably never lasted because of the Latin “qual-”, which created words like quality and Latin “qual-”, which created words like quality and qualifyqualify——more about logic than death. more about logic than death.

Interesting Root: CwelanInteresting Root: Cwelan

The word “quell” (meaning “to put an end to”) The word “quell” (meaning “to put an end to”) derives from “cwelan.”derives from “cwelan.”

More interestingly, the Oxford English Dictionary More interestingly, the Oxford English Dictionary doesn’t show “kill” as explicitly related to doesn’t show “kill” as explicitly related to “cwelan.” “Kill” it argues first appears in Middle “cwelan.” “Kill” it argues first appears in Middle English. Words that sound like “kill” in Old English. Words that sound like “kill” in Old English have very different meanings: English have very different meanings:

cyle: cold; cylen: kiln; cyll: a leather bag.cyle: cold; cylen: kiln; cyll: a leather bag.

Etymology: “bad”Etymology: “bad”

The etymology of the word “bad” is a mystery.The etymology of the word “bad” is a mystery.

The word “bThe word “bād” in Old English meant an ād” in Old English meant an expectation, but it had no connotations as expectation, but it had no connotations as to whether the expectation was good or to whether the expectation was good or bad. bad.

Etymology: “bad”Etymology: “bad”

So where does bad come from? Possiblities:So where does bad come from? Possiblities:

““bæddel” meant a hermaphrodite.bæddel” meant a hermaphrodite.

““bædd” could be a derivative of this, a bædd” could be a derivative of this, a demeaning way to refer to someone. demeaning way to refer to someone.

The Oxford English Dictionary leans toward “bad” The Oxford English Dictionary leans toward “bad” being originally used in names of people and being originally used in names of people and places. The connotations of these people and places. The connotations of these people and places became so negative that their names places became so negative that their names became the very opposite of “good.”became the very opposite of “good.”

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