3 ms·

Because language works through association and analogy, you don't actually need to know the etymology of a word or symbol to use or understand it. Any English

Because language works through association and analogy, you don't actually need to know the etymology of a word or symbol to use or understand it. Any English speaker can understand perfectly well the words manual, manufacture and manicure without ever reflecting on the fact that "manus" in latin means "hand". We clearly haven't needed to rename these words "handual", "handufacture" and "handicure" for these concepts to be understood by people who aren't fluent in Latin. In much the same way, even a person who has never seen a floppy disk will associate its likeness with the action of saving if it appears next to enough save buttons.

wolverine876 3y ago
> you don't actually need to know the etymology of a word or symbol to use or understand it. Etymology, etc. helps to understand what other people mean and have meant by the word, and what others will understand.
- thaumasiotes 3y ago
  No, it doesn't?
  - wolverine876 3y ago
    Well, in this case, if one person says it does, and another doesn't see that it does, shouldn't the latter conclude they are likely missing something? If I say 'this truck hauls 2 tons up Mount Rainier' and evidently I do that, and you don't think so, wouldn't the rational conclusion be that the truck does it and you were unaware? I and many others, for centuries, have used etymology to understand meaning and history. Don't tell me it doesn't work - I do it, just like driving that truck. You can't do everything, we all miss out on most things, but you are missing out! :)
    - thaumasiotes 3y ago
      > in this case, if one person says it does, and another doesn't see that it does, shouldn't the latter conclude they are likely missing something? In this case, we already have all the facts, so there's no reason to talk about what's likely. Etymology is not informative as to meaning, and therefore cannot help anyone learn how a word is currently used. You are advocating for the Etymological Fallacy ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etymological_fallacy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etymological_fallacy ), but the name of the position you're taking should be a hint about whether it's actually a valid viewpoint.
jodrellblank 3y ago
> "We clearly haven't needed to rename these words "handual", "handufacture" and "handicure" for these concepts to be understood by people who aren't fluent in Latin." "manual" is "by-hand". "hand-made" is the literal meaning of "manufacture" (make by hand), if not the industrial meaning used today. From Old English hand-wrought, apparently: https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=handmade https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=handmade

wolverine876 3y ago

> you don't actually need to know the etymology of a word or symbol to use or understand it. Etymology, etc. helps to understand what other people mean and have meant by the word, and what others will understand.

thaumasiotes 3y ago
No, it doesn't?
- wolverine876 3y ago
  Well, in this case, if one person says it does, and another doesn't see that it does, shouldn't the latter conclude they are likely missing something? If I say 'this truck hauls 2 tons up Mount Rainier' and evidently I do that, and you don't think so, wouldn't the rational conclusion be that the truck does it and you were unaware? I and many others, for centuries, have used etymology to understand meaning and history. Don't tell me it doesn't work - I do it, just like driving that truck. You can't do everything, we all miss out on most things, but you are missing out! :)
  - thaumasiotes 3y ago
    > in this case, if one person says it does, and another doesn't see that it does, shouldn't the latter conclude they are likely missing something? In this case, we already have all the facts, so there's no reason to talk about what's likely. Etymology is not informative as to meaning, and therefore cannot help anyone learn how a word is currently used. You are advocating for the Etymological Fallacy ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etymological_fallacy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etymological_fallacy ), but the name of the position you're taking should be a hint about whether it's actually a valid viewpoint.

jodrellblank 3y ago

> "We clearly haven't needed to rename these words "handual", "handufacture" and "handicure" for these concepts to be understood by people who aren't fluent in Latin." "manual" is "by-hand". "hand-made" is the literal meaning of "manufacture" (make by hand), if not the industrial meaning used today. From Old English hand-wrought, apparently: https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=handmade https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=handmade