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[Amazing] 25 Original Word Meanings That Will Surprise You

It is hard to imagine that a word like “awful” once met something closer to “awesome” than “terrible,” but if you think about it and break it down, it kind of makes sense – awe/full or in other words “full of awe.” These are 25 original word meanings that will surprise you!

Featured Image: http://ift.tt/21YJxJI

25

Manufacture

blacksmith

Source: wiktionary

Current meaning – to mass produce with machinery

Original meaning – create by hand

24

Doom

gavel

Source: wiktionary

Current meaning – an unhappy destiny

Original meaning – a law or ordinance

23

Last

mountain

Source: wiktionary

Current meaning – final

Original meaning – highest

22

Protest

declaration

Source: wiktionary, Image: commons.wikimedia.org (public domain: author's life + 100 yrs)

Current meaning – show disapproval

Original meaning – make a solemn declaration

 

21

Hilarity

joy

Source: wiktionary, Image: pixabay.com (public domain)

Current meaning – boisterous merriment

Original meaning – calm joy

20

Bully

20

Source: wiktionary, Image: pixabay.com (public domain)

Current meaning – a person who is habitually cruel to others

Original meaning – a fine chap

19

Radical

basic

Source: wiktionary, Image: commons.wikimedia.org (public domain: threshold of originality not met)

Current meaning – very different from the usual

Original meaning – fundamental

18

Pretty

ninja

Source: wiktionary

Current meaning – attractive

Original meaning – sneaky

17

Guy

scary clown

Source: wiktionary, Image: http://ift.tt/yzWgML (public domain)

Current meaning – a man

Original meaning – a person of grotesque appearance

16

Brave

showy

Source: wiktionary, Image: pixabay.com (public domain)

Current meaning – having courage

Original meaning – showy

15

Egregious

thumbs up

Source: wiktionary

Current meaning – really bad

Original meaning – really good

 

If you’re enjoying this post, be sure to take a look at 25 Interesting and Somewhat Strange Word Origins.

14

Nervous

strong

Source: wiktionary, Image: pixabay.com

Current meaning – anxious

Original meaning – strong

13

Pedant

teacher

Source: wiktionary, Image: commons.wikimedia.org (public domain)

Current meaning – someone who shows off their knowledge

Original meaning – a male schoolteacher

12

Garble

sift

Source: wiktionary

Current meaning – to alter or distort

Original meaning – to sift

11

Evil

conceited

Source: wiktionary

Current meaning – morally reprehensible

Original meaning – uppity

10

Awful

awesome

Source: wiktionary

Current meaning – terrible

Original meaning – amazing (awe/full)

9

Nice

foolish

Source: wiktionary

Current meanning – kind

Original meaning – foolish

8

Sad

smile

Source: wiktionary, Image: commons.wikimedia.org (public domain: ineligible for copyright)

Current meaning – affected by grief

Original meaning – content

7

Artificial

new skills

Source: wiktionary, Image: pixabay.com (public domain)

Current meaning – contrived

Original meaning – skillful

6

Facetious

good manners

Source: wiktionary

Current meaning – inappropriately joking

Original meaning – well mannered

5

Nuisance

explosion

Source: wiktionary, Image: commons.wikimedia.org (public domain)

Current meaning – annoying or unpleasant

Original meaning – injurious or harmful

4

Sophisticated

totally unnatural

Source: wiktionary, Image: pixabay.com (public domain)

Current meaning – very complicated

Original meaning – unnatural

3

Stupid

wow

Source: wiktionary, Image: pixabay.com (public domain)

Current meaning – slow of mind

Original meaning – amazed

2

Passenger

hiker

Source: wiktionary, Image: www.pexels.com (public domain)

Current meaning – a traveler in a vehicle

Original meaning – someone traveling by foot

 

If you enjoyed this post, check out 25 Words You Are Probably Saying Wrong.

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