Changes

A good dictionary will provide a date of origin for a word, and old dates are "13c" or A.D. 1200.  For example, the date of first use of the word "chase", meaning "the hunting of wild animals," is listed by Merriam-Webster dictionary as "13c".  More modern words, such as "homeschool", have more recent dates of first use, such as 1980 in the case of "homeschool".

A good dictionary will provide a date of origin for a word, and old dates are "13c" or A.D. 1200.  For example, the date of first use of the word "chase", meaning "the hunting of wild animals," is listed by Merriam-Webster dictionary as "13c".  More modern words, such as "homeschool", have more recent dates of first use, such as 1980 in the case of "homeschool".

One can spend hours enjoyably learning about the history of human thought simply by looking at when words were first created for important concepts.  For example, by looking up the word "tyranny" in the dictionary we see that it was developed in the 14th century (1300s), which was about the time that feudalism was being replaced by nation-states in England and France. There would have been no concept of "tyranny" under feudalism before that time. One can piece together much of English history simply by reading a dictionary!

One can spend hours enjoyably learning about the history of human thought simply by looking at when words were first created for important concepts.  For example, by looking up the word "tyranny" in the dictionary we see that it was developed in the 14th century (1300s), which was about the time that feudalism was being replaced by nation-states in England and France. Before that time, a word from a Germanic root would have been used instead. One can piece together much of English history simply by reading a dictionary!

The date of origin of a word can even resolve historical debates.  Some (including your instructor) feel that "genocide", which is the mass killing by government of a particularly ethnic group, arose only after the development of the evolutionary theory of "survival of the fittest," and the use of gun control first to remove the ability of citizens to defend themselves.  Because the "survival of the fittest" theory was not taught until the late 1800s, genocide did not occur prior to the 20th century.  Others, particularly promoters of the evolutionary theory, claim that genocide occurred earlier also.  But look in the dictionary at the date of origin of the word "genocide": 1944.  If it had occurred in prior centuries, then a word would have developed to describe it.

The date of origin of a word can even resolve historical debates.  Some (including your instructor) feel that "genocide", which is the mass killing by government of a particularly ethnic group, arose only after the development of the evolutionary theory of "survival of the fittest," and the use of gun control first to remove the ability of citizens to defend themselves.  Because the "survival of the fittest" theory was not taught until the late 1800s, genocide did not occur prior to the 20th century.  Others, particularly promoters of the evolutionary theory, claim that genocide occurred earlier also.  But look in the dictionary at the date of origin of the word "genocide": 1944.  If it had occurred in prior centuries, then a word would have developed to describe it.

The oldest dates of origin are for numbers.  The number "six", for example, is listed as having an origin of "bef. 12c," which means before A.D. 1100.  That places the date of first use of simple numbers as before Middle English, and originating with Old English.

The number "six", for example, is listed as having an origin of "bef. 12c," which means before A.D. 1100.  That places the date of first use of simple numbers as before Middle English - indeed numbers can be traced back to proto-indo-european roots, predating all languages still extant today. Many other words behave likewise.

More generally, the study of the origin of a word is known as "etymology". Some even specialize in the field of "linguistics", which includes all aspects of languages.  Beware, however, distortions in the field by those who insist that all languages are equal. They also claim that all religions are equal in truth or value, and that is no more true for religion than it is for languages.  Every language has advantages or disadvantages, and the path of world history is in some ways the triumph of superior languages over inferior ones.

More generally, the study of the origin of a word is known as "etymology". Some even specialize in the field of "linguistics", which includes all aspects of languages.  Beware, however, distortions in the field by those who insist that all languages are equal. They also claim that all religions are equal in truth or value, and that is no more true for religion than it is for languages.  Every language has advantages or disadvantages, and the path of world history is in some ways the triumph of superior languages over inferior ones.

===Old and Middle English===

===Old and Middle English===