The word "mortgage" has an interesting etymology that explains the seemingly odd "T-G" combination.
Etymology:
- Origin: The word "mortgage" comes from Old French, specifically the term morgage or mort gage, which literally translates to "dead pledge."
- Components:
- "Mort": This is derived from the Latin word mortuus, meaning "dead."
- "Gage": This comes from the Old French word gage, meaning "pledge" or "commitment." The word gage itself has roots in the Germanic wadiare, meaning "to pledge."
Meaning:
- The term "mortgage" was used because the deal would either be fulfilled (i.e., the debt would be paid off and the property freed from the obligation) or the property would be taken (and the pledge would be considered "dead"). The "dead" in "dead pledge" refers to the idea that the pledge (the loan) would "die" once the obligation was fulfilled.
The "T-G" combination in "mortgage" arises from this Old French origin. Over time, the pronunciation of "mortgage" in English evolved, with the "t" becoming silent, but the spelling retained the original form.
You said:
Does wardiare underly both "guarantee" and "Warranty"
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
Yes, the Germanic root wardiare (or wardon in some forms) does indeed underlie both "guarantee" and "warranty," though the words evolved differently over time.
Etymology of "Warranty":
- Old French Influence: The word "warranty" comes from the Old French word warant, which in turn is derived from the Frankish (a Germanic language) warand or warant, meaning "protector" or "warrantor."
- Germanic Root: The Frankish word comes from the Proto-Germanic warjan, meaning "to guard, protect."
- Middle English: This word entered Middle English as warantie or warantie, referring to a formal promise or guarantee.
Etymology of "Guarantee":
- Later French Influence: The word "guarantee" also comes from Old French but through a slightly different route. The term garant in Old French, which means "protector" or "warrantor," is closely related to warant.
- Shift in Spelling and Pronunciation: The shift from w to g occurred as the word entered English, influenced by the later medieval Latin guarentire.
- Modern Usage: "Guarantee" evolved to mean a promise or assurance, particularly concerning the performance or quality of something.
Common Germanic Root:
- Wardiare/Wardon: Both words share a common Germanic root, related to the idea of guarding, protecting, or ensuring something. Over time, the words split into different forms and uses, but their underlying concept remains connected to the notion of providing security or assurance
