The term “like” comes from the Old English word “lician,” which means “to please” or “to be pleased with.” It is related to the Old English word “gelic,” meaning “similar” or “alike.”
1. Proto-Indo-European (PIE)
The PIE root “*leikw-” means “body” or “form,” implying similarity in appearance or form.
2. Old English
From the PIE root, the Old English word “gelic” developed, meaning “similar” or “alike.” The verb “lician” derived from “gelic” and meant “to please” or “to be pleased with.”
3. Middle English (c. 11th to 15th century CE)
The Old English “lician” and “gelic” evolved into Middle English as “liken” and “like,” respectively, meaning “to be pleased with” and “similar” or “alike.”
4. Modern English (from 15th century CE to present)
The term “like” evolved into its current form and pronunciation, retaining the meanings of “similar” and “to be pleased with” or “to enjoy.”
Phonetic Evolution
Over time, the pronunciation of “like” has remained relatively stable, transitioning from Old English “lician” and “gelic” to the Modern English “like.”
Usage Examples
- “I like reading books in my free time.”
- “Another example of ‘like’ in a sentence is ‘She has a dress like mine.'”
Cultural or Historical Notes
The development of the word “like” was significantly influenced by the need to express similarity, preference, and enjoyment in language. Its use has expanded over time to include various contexts, such as social media (e.g., “liking” a post).
The word “like” reflects the importance of expressing preferences and similarities, emphasizing its role in communication, comparison, and social interactions.