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, as coined by the Göttingen School of History in the 18th^{[citation needed]} century, refers to anti-Jewish beliefs and practices.^[3][4][5] The etymological fallacy arises when a speaker asserts its meaning is the one implied by the structure of the word - racism against the Semitic people.^[6][7]

Some sources (e.g. Encyclopædia Britannica) still consider it a misnomer.^{[clarification needed][8]}

See also

• False friends

• Folk etymology – Process of reinterpretive word formation

• Genetic fallacy – Fallacy of irrelevance
• Informal fallacy – Form of incorrect argument in natural language
• Persuasive definition – Stipulative, biased definition of a term

References

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.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)