Introduction
We all know at least one funny-sounding word. Whether it’s a made-up word like “Snickersnee” or a real word that just happens to sound humorous like “Kerfuffle,” there are plenty of them out there. But where do these words come from? In this blog post, we will explore the origins of some of these funny sounding bone 7 little words and see just how they came to be. From Old English to modern slang, you might be surprised at where these words originated. So sit back, relax, and get ready to have a good laugh.
Words that came from other languages
There are many words in English that came from other languages. Some of these words sound very different from their original language, and some sound very similar. Here are a few examples:
1. “Avocado” comes from the Aztec word “ahuacatl.”
2. “Bikini” comes from the Marshallese word “bikini.”
3. “Giraffe” comes from the Arabic word “zarafa.”
4. “Kangaroo” comes from the Australian Aboriginal word “gangurru.”
5. “Sushi” comes from the Japanese word “sushi.”
Words that were made up
We’ve all come across words that make us do a double-take. Whether it’s because they’re spelled oddly, or they have an unexpected meaning, these words can be hard to wrap our heads around. And some of them are so strange, you might wonder if they were made up outright! Here are a few funny-sounding words and the stories behind them.
Whimsical
This word has a playful sound to it, and its meaning reflects that. A whim is defined as “a sudden idea or fancy” – in other words, something that popped into your head out of the blue. It’s often used to describe people or things that are lighthearted and fun, like a whimsical child’s bedroom decorated with fairy lights and stuffed animals.
Gargle
Gargle might be one of the stranger-sounding words on this list. It comes from the Latin word for throat, “gurgulio,” which is also the root of the word “gorge.” When you gargle, you basically make noises in the back of your throat like you’re trying to choke on something – not exactly a pleasant image! But it does serve a purpose: Gargling with salt water can help clear a sore throat or rid your mouth of bacteria.
Bolster
This word has several meanings, but most likely comes from the
Words that have multiple meanings
When you hear the word “scant,” you might think of a small amount. But when Old English speakers heard the word “scant,” they thought of something that was fully or just barely enough. In other words, “scant” meant both “little” and “just enough.”
The same is true of the word “cleave.” These days, we use it to mean “to split apart.” But in Old English, it meant both “to split apart” and “to bind together.”
There are plenty of other words in English that have multiple meanings. The word “bark,” for example, can refer to the protective outer layer of a tree OR the sound a dog makes. The word “bow” can mean either the front part of a ship OR a bending at the waist as a gesture of respect.
Some words have multiple meanings because they come from different parts of speech. The word “set,” for example, can be a verb (meaning to put something in place) or a noun (referring to a group of things). Other words have multiple meanings because they’ve been borrowed from other languages – like the word “salsa,” which can refer to both a type of sauce and a style of dance.
So next time you come across a word with multiple meanings, don’t be baffled – just think about its history. Chances are there’s a good reason why it has more than one meaning!
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed this article on funny-sounding words and their origins. We think it’s fascinating to learn about the stories behind some of these words, and we hope you found it enlightening too. Do you know of any other words with interesting histories? Let us know in the comments below!
