Etymological fallacy

An etymological fallacy is an argument of equivocation, arguing that a word is defined by its etymology, and that its customary usage is therefore incorrect. ^{[1] [2]}

History

Ancient Greeks believed that there was a "true meaning" of a word, distinct from common use. There is evidence that a similar belief existed among ancient Vedic scholars. In modern days, this fallacy can be found in some arguments of language purists. ^[1]

Occurrence and examples

An etymological fallacy becomes possible when a word's meaning shifts over time from its original meaning. Such changes can include a narrowing or widening of scope or a change of connotation (amelioration or pejoration). In some cases, modern usage can shift to the point where the new meaning has no evident connection to its etymon.^{[ examples needed ] [1]}

Antisemitism

The term antisemitism refers to anti-Jewish beliefs and practices. ^{[3] [4] [5]} It replaced the earlier term Jew-hatred. The etymological fallacy arises when a speaker asserts its meaning is the one implied by the structure of the word—racism against any of the Semitic peoples. ^{[6] [7]}

See also

• False friends

• Folk etymology  – Process of reinterpretive word formation

• Genetic fallacy  – Fallacy where validity is determined by origin
• Informal fallacy  – Form of incorrect argument in natural language
• Persuasive definition  – Stipulative, biased definition of a term

References

1. Sihler, Andrew (2000). Language History. Amsterdam studies in the theory and history of linguistic science. Series IV, Current issues in linguistic theory. Vol. 191. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing. pp. 131–133. ISBN   90-272-3698-4.
2. Wilson, Kenneth G. (1993). "Etymological Fallacy". The Columbia Guide to Standard American English.
3. Lipstadt (2019), pp. 22–25.
4. Johnson, Paul (1987). A History of the Jews. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers. p. 133. ISBN   978-0-06-091533-9.
5. Lewis, Bernard. "Semites and Anti-Semites". Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 27 October 2018.. Extract from Islam in History: Ideas, Men and Events in the Middle East, The Library Press, 1973. Lewis, Bernard (Winter 2006). "The New Anti-Semitism". The American Scholar. 75 (1): 25–36. Archived from the original on 8 November 2017.
6. Lipstadt, Deborah (2019). Antisemitism: Here and Now. Schocken Books. ISBN   978-0-80524337-6.
7. Starr, Michael (2022-02-04). "Encyclopedia Britannica: Semitic people can't be called antisemitic". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved 2023-11-15.

Further reading

• Gula, Robert J. (2002). Nonsense: A Handbook of Logical Fallacies. Axios Press. pp. 48, 161. ISBN   0-9661908-5-8.
• Steinmetz, Sol (2008). Semantic Antics: How and Why Words Change Meanings . Random House Reference. ISBN   978-0-375-42612-4.
• Zenker, Frank (2002). The Etymological Argument - Fallacy or Sound Move. Munich. ISBN   978-3-638-14401-8. OCLC   904809359.