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| Source: powayusd.com |
BRIDGE
Did you know that the word "bridge" could have been influenced by the old Russian "brŭvŭno", meaning a beam?
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary contemporary English word "bridge" underwent a series of linguistic metamorphosis and travelled across a few languages before it arrived in the Old English as "brycg". But the progenitor of "bridge" is said to be the Old Church Slavic word "brŭvŭno", meaning a beam.
This seems to be a very logical explanation, since any bridge would indeed consist of beams, but have a look at the historic path of the word suggested by the Merriam dictionary below. What a traveller this bridge is! If you know of any other curious English words of Russian origin, we'll be happy to hear from you on our Facebook page.
Merriam-Websiter Dictionary Origin of BRIDGE:
Middle English brigge, from Old English brycg; akin to Old High German brucka bridge, Old Church Slavic brŭvŭno beam.
First Known Use: before 12th century
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| Source: sportsinpakistan.blogspot.com |
P.S. The history of "bridge" as a card game is a bit more complex. Apparently, the word has originated from the Old East Slavic "бирич" ("birich / biritch") - an Ancient Rus herald, who woud announce the Duke's orders in the centre of a town square or yard, gathering people around. It is said that the card game "biritch" originated in Russia as well, but satisfactory evidence has not been discovered.
