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    The document discusses the evolution of the word "period" in the English language. It traces the origins and original definitions of the word from Middle English and Latin, and how its meaning and usage has changed over time. Specifically, in the 21st century the word "period" has taken on a new informal usage as slang among teenagers and on social media to express emphasis or as a joke. The document examines how words are dynamic and can take on new contextual meanings as language changes over different eras.

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    The document discusses the evolution of the word "period" in the English language. It traces the origins and original definitions of the word from Middle English and Latin, and how its meaning and usage has changed over time. Specifically, in the 21st century the word "period" has taken on a new informal usage as slang among teenagers and on social media to express emphasis or as a joke. The document examines how words are dynamic and can take on new contextual meanings as language changes over different eras.

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    The document discusses the evolution of the word "period" in the English language. It traces the origins and original definitions of the word from Middle English and Latin, and how its meaning and usage has changed over time. Specifically, in the 21st century the word "period" has taken on a new informal usage as slang among teenagers and on social media to express emphasis or as a joke. The document examines how words are dynamic and can take on new contextual meanings as language changes over different eras.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    85 views4 pages

    Untitled Document 2

    Uploaded by

    api-490211872
    The document discusses the evolution of the word "period" in the English language. It traces the origins and original definitions of the word from Middle English and Latin, and how its meaning and usage has changed over time. Specifically, in the 21st century the word "period" has taken on a new informal usage as slang among teenagers and on social media to express emphasis or as a joke. The document examines how words are dynamic and can take on new contextual meanings as language changes over different eras.

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    of 4

    Cheek1

    Destini Cheek

    Dr.Cuddy

    English 101

    21 September 2019
    Period Pooh

    Why were we taught to use periods as a part of proper punctuation ,but also saying it in

    our everyday conversations with peers? The word ​period​ has been around for many years, and is

    used as a simple punctuation mark for a sentence. Each word in the English language has a

    specific origin, etymology, and frequency as it was developed. A word can have many different

    meanings depending on its context, but those meanings and definitions can shift over time.

    Although, a word may have been developed during a specific time period, its meaning and

    definition can still be used in a variety of different ways as the time period changes. Therefore,

    the word ​period​ as used in the English language, can have a shift in meaning, understanding, and

    usage of anecdotes as it is used today in the 21st century.

    In the English language the word ​period,​ has an origin and a definition. The ​Oxford

    English Dictionary ​states that ​period​ has many origins. Its origins are partly a borrowing from

    French, and partly a borrowing from Latin (“period,n.,adj.,and adv). Along with its origins, its

    etymology is of the middle French period , length of time for which something lasts

    (“period,n.,adj.,and adv). According to the ​Oxford English Dictionary, t​ his word can have

    multiple definitions. One of the definitions is “A length of time, especially one marked by the

    occurrence of phenomenon” (“period,n.,adj.,and adv). A medicine definition for the word ​period

    is “The time during which a disease runs its course; the time occupied by each attack of an
    Cheek2

    intermittent fever” (“period,n.,adj.,and adv). This source of information justifies how the

    definitions and understanding of the word can change over its course of time.

    Furthermore, ​periods ​development was during the Middle English era but according to

    the ​OED,​ ​periods f​ requency is currently in use.​Period ​is currently apart of the English language

    today. which is an example of how the word has still remained useful.The ​Oxford English

    Dictionary ​includes that ​period ​has many forms such as; pareode, paryode, and periodies

    (“period,n.,and adv.”).These word choices specifies how society uses ​period ​in a variety of

    different ways over a time shift. As ​period i​ s used in the English language its meaning has

    constantly been changing, whether it is used as a punctuation or a word itself. Words are

    constantly changing in the English language over the different eras.

    On the other hand, ​period ​has been defined,understood,and used differently during the

    Middle English era, but in the 21st century ​period ​is the new slang. Today this word is not only

    used as punctuation in a sentence, but it has developed its way into a basic conversation. I choose

    to use this word because society today categorizes ​period​ as a way to show confidence, use

    slang, and make a joke. In the 21st century, as you listen to a song on the radio you might just

    hear the artist yell out “​period​.” People in this specific context have a complete different

    understanding of ​period ​verses when it was developed centuries ago. ​Period c​ an even be used to

    describe a female’s menstrual cycle in today’s English Language. My experience with this

    English word has changed in just a matter of two years, because the word has developed

    different meanings.

    Many popular social media influencers use ​period ​in basic conversations with friends.

    For instance, an instagram influencer, named Ariana, used ​period ​in a sentence, while asking her
    Cheek3

    instagram followers what outfit she should wear. Ariana used ​period t​ o her viewers by saying

    “What do y’all think I should wear tonight, ​period ​pooh?”(“period,n.,and adv.”) A basic

    punctuation symbol has been turned into a unique slang in the 21st century. This word has really

    shifted in today’s current English language. I felt so strongly about this word because this is the

    generation that I am currently apart of ,and it has become a word that you can hardly go all day

    without hearing a teenager say. It was interesting for me to inform my audience,along with

    myself,how words we use today were not always used in the same form. Also, ​period ​perceived

    as such a common phrase, or joke used today. It was very interesting to me to see how words can

    shift with the English language.

    The English language has evolved and is continuing to shift. Words are constantly being

    ​ ociety has to understand that words we use today have


    added to the ​Oxford English Dictionary. S

    a specific origin, and have evolved into different meanings, and definitions. Words do not just

    exist they were developed throughout an era,and come from a specific meaning. ​Period​ was one

    of the very few words that society uses, and majority of the society can relate to using, which is

    why it was choosin in this essay. It is important to understand the origin of words and how they

    have changed in the way we use them as anecdotes.


    Cheek4

    Work Cited

    “Discover the Story of EnglishMore than 600,000 Words, over a Thousand Years.” ​Home

    : Oxford English Dictionary​, https://www.oed.com/.

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