Etymological Root Fallacy and Dunamis

drew — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 02:22:04 +0000

In my own words, an etymological root fallacy is anachronistic retrospective eisegesis. Dunamis (power) is most often the unfortunate victim of such shoddy (mis-)interpretation. What do I mean by this cumbersome phrase “anachronistic retrospective eisegesis”? Well, it is a looking back (retrospective) on a word which predates English (anachronistic) and forcing the meaning of a present day English word back onto that Greek word (eisegesis) from whence the English word came. So, for example, people read dunamis in Romans 1:16 and think that dynamite’s root in this Greek word gives the reader license to read dunamis with this present day concept of dynamite; but bear in mind that Paul had no concept of dynamite when he wrote that the gospel is the power (dunamis) of God for salvation. Therefore, don’t read any concept of dynamite back onto dunamis though the English “dynamite” undoubtedly comes from it.

It may preach, but it’s not correct!

When I Say Suede, I Say Sweden

drew — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 14:31:37 +0000

I’ve just learned the etymology ofÂ the word “suede.” It seems rather obvious now that I think about it.

undressed kid skin, 1884, from gants de SuÃ¨de (1859), lit. “gloves of Sweden,” from Fr. SuÃ¨de “Sweden.”

Etymonline.com scores again!

kata Drew » etymology

Etymological Root Fallacy and Dunamis

When I Say Suede, I Say Sweden