The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-06-21
SOME or OUR SYNONYMS


the II turns to our English " together and
onuma, name, named together. 1t is not
true that two words of the same original
language mean exactly the same thing. 1t
is the case often that the identical idea is
expressed by words of different languages,
and if one language should introduce a
foreign word it might then have true
equivalent for one Of native origin.
This occurs so often in English that we
seek for a reason and think we find the cor
rect solution in this fact in the history of
our people.
William the Norman conquered Eng
land in 1905 The decisive battle was
fought at Hastings where the king, Harold
was killed. There were two distinct peo-
pies in one land, having languages alto
gether different; the one rude, but express
i've Anglo-Saxon from the Wilds of northern
Europe, the other rich in ideas, beautiful
and musical Norman French, lineal de-
scendant of Rome and its literary magnif-
icence slightly toned down by its thou
sand years of use by O. bold, free people.
The conqueror insured political order by
his rigorous administration, but there was
not intellectual unity. The lines We're sharp
~ drawn between Norman and Saxon. inc
laws were Norman; the records We're Nor
man: the officers were Norman and the no
bility were of Nornans holding titles under
n Norman ruler. The Saxon, crushed ana
ruined by defeat, kept his own VIEWS was
still thane or earl to his own people, and
he lived as best he could under the Trials
he met on all sides.
The very strength, however, of the mon
archy with the absence of religious differ
ences, worked powerfully for the inter
fusion Of the two elements of the popuia-
ton. Those Of the English, or Anglo
Saxons, who desired to move among the
educated or titled classes and to associate
with persons of authority or influence
found it absolutely necessary TO Obtain
some knowledge Of the Norman trehch'
tua lower Glasses hearing their own mas
ters using French words began 10 take
them up i'll their every day speech, ana 10
inc0rnorate them in the common language.
IT came in wears to mean that knOWl-
edge of French, even though 1T could only
be called q smattering, was a badge or gen,
tility. When it became fashionable the 9Id
English infections and many OF us ruuef
words gradually gave way TO Inc Norman
MS n question of the survival OF the hlleSC.
Tt was not all one way, however. Inc
Norman also adopted Saxon words, but ho6
as seeking q claim to recognition thereDy'
1t was a necessity. In the French wars the
Saxon bowman must be understood by ms
Norman lOrU ana UldSlc4s dAAb Ii4N SiS
means was for the noble1nan TO speak Saxon
to his churl The wars over, or tenporar-
iIv suspended the Saxon words remained
and passed in ordinary conversation III @ue
castle, as well as on the field.
An old writer says: Every man tur ,Il
himself into a walking phrasebooI. Inc
Norman used English synonyms Tor MS
French words. and whenever an LngllSi-
man spoke with Il Norman ne SOUGHT III
turn French equivalents for the words OIL
his own yernacular, ana our hhSudS,3
swar1ned with words that went IN couples.
When Normandy was lost to England IN
1904 the rulers and the masses mad 4 COM
mon political interest. The Norman 12Q
no continental place in Europe, 50 he be-
gan to consider England hls nome; the
Saxon was no longer called to hight 1of
Normandy and he settled down III peace
Nv his own lireside The tendency of the
time and the drift of religious teaching
were towards q consolidation OF the two
people now using practically the same IAN
guage. ..,.a.,,,,+ dc
n0sed of both Latin and French 40 court,
ana FncTsh was declared to be the Ian
guage for general use $500
The tactics of these Influences are seen
in our many synonyms. a rev arc gwen
to show how both people III hGlf mGeT-
course would double their IDEAS 10 De ulqe -
stood. Love and affection, to have ana 70
hold, to honor and obey, VIII and testd-
mont acknowledge and confess, pray and
beseech. aid and abet, placed ana StdhdluS5
promise and VOW, pomp ana VANITY, way >
and means, teach and instruct hide ana
conceal. eject and put out, sell ana con-
yev, rent and lease, bargain anu lT2ae'
and so on many others from the old Eng
Tsh statutes and the book of common prayer
will Illustrate and Justify the reason as
signed for so many synonyms III our ILL
BUS 80 70 ho understood that the pres