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Fact #33

"Eorin Baekseong" Did Not Mean Children

In the preface to Hunminjeongeum, the word "eorida" meant foolish, not young

Justin Lee, Dumb Game Lab ·

"Eorin Baekseong" Did Not Mean Children
Photo: Kbarends at English Wikipedia, Public domain
Short answer In the 15th century "eorida" meant foolish. The sense of "young" appeared from the 16th century and is the main meaning today.

The Hunminjeongeum book made under King Sejong. A version of it written out in Hangul says "even when the eorin people have something to say."

Here "eorin" does not mean young. It means "foolish."

EoridaIn the 15th century it meant foolish

YauSo a "child" was originally a foolish person?

Before the word "eoriseokda" (foolish) existed, "eorida" carried that meaning.

From the 16th century the sense of "young" appeared. Over time it became the main meaning.

"Eorini" (child) is "eorin" plus "i." It shows up in texts from the 17th century.

YauWord meanings just drift wherever they like

Watch it as a short

Sources

  1. National Institute of Korean Language: Eorida and Eoriseokda
  2. National Institute of Korean Language: Origin of Eorini

Photo credits

  • Hunminjeongeumhaerye.jpg, Kbarends at English Wikipedia, Public domain (source)

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