Brain Power > Learn English Online

10 Words That Mean the Opposite of What They Used to Mean

(1/1)

islander:

10 Words That Mean the Opposite of What They Used to Mean

BY BETH DREHER

Thanks to cultural changes, incorrect translations, and a host of other reasons, word meanings often shift over time. Here, ten words that have done a 180.

Awful


ALEX EMANUEL KOCH/SHUTTERSTOCK

Current meaning: Very unpleasant

Original meaning: Inspiring wonder, as in "full of awe."


Bully


OLENA YAKOBCHUK/SHUTTERSTOCK

Current meaning: Someone who mocks or harms those who are weaker

Original meaning: A good fellow or a darling. Linguists believe it evolved from the Dutch word "boel," meaning "lover."

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=89562.0

islander:

Artificial


JACOB LUND/SHUTTERSTOCK

Current meaning: Contrived or false

Original meaning: Artfully and skillfully constructed


Villain


SYDA PRODUCTIONS/SHUTTERSTOCK

Current meaning: Evildoer

Original meaning: A trusted farm hand. It used to be spelled villein, and it evolved into the version we're familiar with today.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=89562.0

islander:

Symposium


LSTOCKSTUDIO/SHUTTERSTOCK

Current meaning: A conference or meeting to discuss a particular subject

Original meaning: A drinking party. The word comes from the Greek word "symposion," which the ancient Greeks used to describe their lively, boozy banquets.


Harlot


RIDO/SHUTTERSTOCK

Current meaning: A promiscuous woman

Original meaning: A goofy, mischievous man

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=89562.0

islander:

Moot point


MONKEY BUSINESS IMAGES/SHUTTERSTOCK

Current meaning: A matter of no importance

Original meaning: A hypothetical idea created specifically to be talked about


Resentment


WOWSTY/SHUTTERSTOCK

Current meaning: Indignation

Original meaning: Gratitude

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=89562.0

islander:

Specious


MAKISTOCK/SHUTTERSTOCK

Current meaning: Seeming fair, but falsely so

Original meaning: Fair or beautiful


Egregious



Current meaning: Shockingly bad

Original meaning: Anything that separates itself from a group

https://www.rd.com/culture/

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=89562.0

Navigation

[0] Message Index