This may sound a bit trite. I'm truly fascinated by the origin and meaning of mere words. By that, I don't mean simple definitions. I mean where they came from, their original use and intent, and how those words have changed over time.
Take these three, as examples: Recreation, reform, renaissance - they all sound as though they should be related, right? Yet, a search for meaning yields wildly different meanings for each.
Thank you Wikipedia for this:
- Recreation is an activity of leisure, leisure being discretionary time.
- Reform means the improvement or amendment of what is wrong, corrupt, unsatisfactory, etc.
- The Renaissance is a period in Europe, from the 14th to the 17th century, considered the bridge between the Middle Ages and modern history.
I'm thinking more time is necessary to explore this subject. More time than I have at the moment will be required, so I leave you now, to ponder this idea for yourself. For me, reform is overdue, recreation non-existent, and a Renaissance would be most welcome.
Other discoveries along the way: http://norse-mythology.org/tales/odins-discovery-of-the-runes/