The Awful Truth

On this morning's Good Question on CBC's Information Morning Saint John, the question was asked about how the english language evolved from Old Englsih to the Modern English we speak today. Being an English Major (I find that extremely fun to say!) I found the history of the English language condensed to five minutes very interesting, and the man explaining it was funny to boot.

The man answering the question made an interesting commentary on the shift of word's meanings. One of his examples was the word awful. He had said that when the word first came into use, it did not mean terrible at all, instead it was on par with our word awesome; awe inspiring; full of awe.

aw·ful ( P ) Pronunciation Key (ôfl)
adj.
1. Extremely bad or unpleasant; terrible: had an awful day at the office.
2. Commanding awe: “this sea, whose gently awful stirrings seem to speak of some hidden soul beneath” (Herman Melville).
3. Filled with awe, especially:
a. Filled with or displaying great reverence.
b. Obsolete. Afraid.
4. Formidable in nature or extent: an awful burden; an awful risk.

adv. Informal
Extremely; very: was awful sick.


awe·some ( P ) Pronunciation Key (ôsm)
adj.
1. Inspiring awe: an awesome thunderstorm.
2. Expressing awe: stood in awesome silence before the ancient ruins.
3. Slang. Remarkable; outstanding: “a totally awesome arcade game” (Los Angeles Times).


It is quite interesting how two words so similar in syntaxopposite oposite in meaning.

We have a weird and wonderful language.