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Etymology of The Word Weird

Updated: May 10


Weird, Child_Of_Balance, Childofbalance, etymology, words, refining words, wyrd, norse pagan, definition, weird, stay weird, fate, destiny, web of wyrd, norse, three norns, norns, karma
(Stay Weird Neon Sign)

Many have heard us talking this past week or so about how important energy is, especially when it comes to how it is placed behind our words. So often without realizing it words change and morph over time in society when energetic connotation, labels, and judgements are placed on them and projected around our reality by the collective. Sometimes this happens positively, and the working definition and use continues to grow with society and enhance throughout the ages. However, this is not always the case. In fact, often times, the simplest of words adapt to hold what we'll call "unoriginal" energy that departs from their derived origins. We all should pay attention to this phenomenon in our lives, before we adopt or jump to assumptions when words are "thrown" around.

During spiritual and healing journeys it can sometimes be a liberating experience to redefine how we look at words. Often their base meanings offer a new depth and a less harsh outlook on the core of our everyday words. This can be extremely helpful when wanting to empower yourself through words, affirmations, and authenticity. For example, let's take a look at the etymology of an all to commonly used word, WEIRD. Often it is thrown around in a belittling or degrading light or aspect of ones perceived character.


Example: "You're WEIRD". Buts let's go all the way back and take a lot at the root etymology of the word weird.


weird (adj.)

c. 1400, "having power to control fate," from wierd (n.), from Old English wyrd "fate, chance, fortune; destiny; the Fates," literally "that which comes," from Proto-Germanic wurthiz (source also of Old Saxon wurd, Old High German wurt "fate," Old Norse urðr "fate, one of the three Norns"), from PIE wert- "to turn, to wind," (source also of German werden, Old English weorðan "to become"), from root *wer- (2) "to turn, bend." For the sense development from "turning" to "becoming," compare phrase turn into "become."


The sense of "uncanny, supernatural" developed from Middle English use of weird sisters for the three Fates or Norns (in Germanic mythology), the goddesses who controlled human destiny. They were portrayed as odd or frightening in appearance, as in "Macbeth" (and especially in 18th and 19th century productions of it), which led to the adjectival meaning "odd-looking, uncanny" (1815); "odd, strange, disturbingly different" (1820)


-Excerpt Directly Copied from Etymology.com


How fitting this all seems to be as many are finding what they align with and where they "fit" into "fate" within their own personal lives this week into the next.


Do you feel like knowing this has changed how you look at the word "WEIRD"?

Do you think fate can be bent or turned either in or against your favor?

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