The Meanings of Words Should Not be Allowed to Vary or Change

Myth 1.

Meaning of words

• deer (OE) > animal or beast• girl (girle, gerle, gyrle) (OE) > young person• apple (OE) > any kind of fruit• boy (OE) > servant, commoner, knave• wife (OE) > woman, female• meat (OE) > food• Hound (OE) > dog (Cannine Familiaris)• holiday (holy + day)• Nice (ME) > simple, foolish, ignorant

Change in English over time:

• The Lord’s Prayer in Old English (ca. 1100 AD)Faeder ure thu the eart on heofonum, sithin nama gehalgod. Tobecume thin rice. Gewurthe thin willa on eorthan swa swa on heofonum. Urne gedoeghwamlican hlafsyle us to daeg. And forgyf us ure gyltas, swa swa we forgyfath urum gyltedum. And ne gelaed thu us on costnungen ac alys us of yfele. Sothlice.

Change in English:

• The Lord’s Prayer in Middle English (ca. 1400 AD)Oure fadir that art in heuenes halowid be thi name, thi kyngdom come to, be thi willedon in erthe es in heuene, yeue to us this day oure bread ouir other substance, & foryeue to us oure dettis, as we forgeuen to oure dettouris, & lede us not in to temptacion: but delyeur us from yuel, amen.

Change in English:

• The Lord’s Prayer in Early Modern English (ca. 1600 AD)Our father which art in heaven, hallowed by thy Name. Thy kingdome come. Thy will be done, in earth, as it is in heaven. Giue vsthis day our dayly bread. And forgiue vs our debts, as we forgiue our debters. And leadevs not into temptation, but deliuer vs from euill: For thine is the kingdome, and the power, and the glory, for euer, Amen.

Change in English:

• The Lord’s Prayer in Contemporary EnglishOur Father, who is in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your kingdom come into being. May your will be followed on earth, just as it is in heaven. Give us this day our food for the day. And forgive us our offenses, just as we forgive those who have offended us. And do not bring us to the test, but free us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours forever. Amen.