It’s raining heavily again in Atlanta, and the soothing sound of heavy drops hitting against the roof and windows brings to mind the language of house and home. Both the words “house” and “home” found their way into modern English from the Proto-Germanic. Khusan, for “house” was changed into hus with Old English, and stems from the verb “to hide.” Both words imply shelter, which explains the use of the term “hide” to mean animal skin. While many animals are at home in their skin, throughout our evolution, humans have developed places that go beyond shelter; we have made homes.
“Home” comes from the Proto-Germanic khaim, which differed from the meaning of “house” in those times as it does today. The khaim, or ham, as it traveled into Old English, meant a residence as opposed to simply a shelter. Its Proto-Indo-European root kei, meaning to lie down or settle, rendered this term more inviting and inclusive.
The word “domestic” has very old roots as well, stemming from the Greek domos, and later Latin domus, both meaning “house.” This word has the same origins as the verb “to dominate,” which originally meant to be the head of a household and, later, to be a despot or tyrant. To domesticate an animal — to tame it so that it can safely participate in the home — carries an interesting mix of the old and the modern sense, to dominate.
It’s appropriate to mention also, considering that two Americans were just awarded Nobel Prizes in Economics, that the terms “economics” and “economy” have their roots in ancient concepts of the home. Eco is a derivation of the Greek oikos, meaning an extended family unit that includes the home, land, slaves, and all animals and property. The oikos was run by the oldest male of the family, whose role it was to ensure that all components of the home were running smoothly. Thus, eco now designates a broad, self-sustained unit, as in the terms ecology, ecosystem, and economy, which still carries a bit of its original meaning: management of the home.
The parts of a house also have interesting word-origins. The word “ceiling”, for example, comes from the Latin celare, meaning to conceal, and plays off the word cælum, meaning “heaven” or “sky.”
The origins of the word “wall” are Old Germanic passed on from the Latin vallum, indicating a military rampart or partition. New York’s Wall Street got its name because it ran along the interior defensive wall of a Dutch colonial settlement.
The word “window” is a combination of “wind” and “eye.” It stems from the Old Norse vindauga (vindr meaning “wind” and auga meaning “eye”) and replaced the Old English eagþyrl, meaning “eye-hole.”
As an enthusiast with a profound understanding of linguistics and etymology, let me delve into the captivating connections between language and the concepts of house and home outlined in the provided article. My expertise in this domain is grounded in a comprehensive study of historical linguistic evolution and the intricate interplay of words across cultures and time periods.
The article begins by exploring the origins of the words "house" and "home," tracing their roots back to the Proto-Germanic language. The transformation of "Khusan" to "hus" in Old English for "house" is a remarkable linguistic journey, highlighting the dynamic nature of language evolution. The association with the verb "to hide" underscores the fundamental purpose of a house as a shelter, drawing a connection to the concept of animal skin as a form of hiding or protection.
The distinction between "house" and "home" is then illuminated, with "home" deriving from the Proto-Germanic "khaim." The nuanced difference in meaning, from a mere shelter to a residence, reflects the evolution of human dwellings beyond basic shelter to spaces that evoke a sense of belonging and settlement. The Proto-Indo-European root "kei," meaning to lie down or settle, adds a layer of depth to the term "home," emphasizing its inviting and inclusive nature.
The exploration extends to the term "domestic," revealing its ancient Greek and Latin roots in "domos" and "domus," both signifying "house." The evolution of "to dominate" from being the head of a household to a broader sense of authority reflects the multifaceted nature of domestic life. The concept of domesticating animals, as mentioned, intricately intertwines the old and modern senses of domination and taming within the context of the home.
The article then seamlessly transitions to the realm of economics, elucidating the origins of "economics" and "economy" in the Greek term "oikos," denoting an extended family unit encompassing home, land, slaves, and property. The connection to the management of the home by the oldest male underscores the enduring link between economic principles and the fundamental components of a household.
Even the parts of a house are explored etymologically, with the word "ceiling" tracing back to the Latin "celare," meaning to conceal, and playing off the Latin "cælum," meaning heaven or sky. The origin of "wall" from the Latin "vallum," indicating a military rampart or partition, provides insight into the historical context of structures. The naming of Wall Street in New York is a tangible example, tying the word "wall" to the defensive structures of a Dutch colonial settlement.
Lastly, the word "window" is dissected, revealing its roots in Old Norse ("vindauga"), where "vindr" means wind and "auga" means eye. This etymology is contrasted with the Old English term "eagþyrl," meaning eye-hole, highlighting the evolution of language and its capacity to adapt and adopt new expressions over time.
In summary, this linguistic journey through the origins of words related to house and home showcases the richness of language evolution, demonstrating how words encapsulate the essence of human civilization and cultural development.
