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Webster [1] traces the source of the word “character” to theater where it was used as an emblem of the reputation of someone or a group of people, similar to ho
by e1g 3y ago
Webster [1] traces the source of the word “character” to theater where it was used as an emblem of the reputation of someone or a group of people, similar to how you would recognize the brand name engraved into a thing. The interpretation that character is a result of “engraving” through repeated behavior (at the individual level) is fascinating, but doesn’t seems as supported from original usage for centuries.
[1] https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/word-history-of-character-origins#:~:text=Character%20can%20be%20traced%20back,shared%20by%20the%20Latin%20character https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/word-history-o...).
- birdyrooster 3y agoI don’t think Webster is always right or writes complete etymology. Perhaps there is a more charitable way to interpret the PC. But PC should provide sources, that would be nice.
- renewiltord 3y agoIt's more a poetic association than etymology. That's an all right way to link the two.
- dr_dshiv 3y agoSocrates was famous for his loose etymologies. He describes the etymology of techne (design, craft, basis of technology) as coming from “echo” and “nous” (mind). I love the idea of the echos of mind in technology! His interlocutor said something like: “your etymology is like pulling a heavy boat up a steep ramp.” Ha! Yay for the playful side of Plato.
- deleted 3y ago[deleted]
- ry4nolson 3y agothis could be a nuance/difference of "a character" of a story and a real person's "character"
- deleted 3y ago[deleted]
- tinkrr 3y agoThe article itself says that there are multiple meanings of "character". One of which refers to a persons reputation and can be traced back to "the Greek charassein, meaning “to sharpen, cut in furrows, or engrave.”
- algas 3y agoSo perhaps this is convergent evolution? "Character" can also mean symbol, like a key on a typewriter. That would make more sense as a descendant from "engraving".
- DropInIn 3y agoI'd hazard a guess it's that multiple words which sounded vaguely similar were merged into the most dominant form as a result of people being too lazy to differentiate them by minor nuances of pronunciation. Essentially some bone apple teas
- fsckboy 3y agomultiple meanings, ok; multiple etymologies, unlikely.