Old English Origins:
* It comes from the Old English words "wel" (meaning "well" or "good") and "cuman" (meaning "to come").
* This means that "welcome" originally meant something like "good to come" or "it is good that you have come."
Middle English Changes:
* Over time, the two words combined into "welcuman" and then evolved further into "welcome".
* In Middle English, it started being used more broadly as a greeting and expression of hospitality.
Modern Usage:
* Today, "welcome" is used in a variety of ways, including:
* A greeting to someone arriving or joining a group.
* An expression of hospitality and a desire for someone to feel comfortable.
* A way to acknowledge and accept someone's presence or actions.
So, "welcome" has its roots in the simple idea of being glad about someone's arrival. It has evolved from a descriptive phrase to a welcoming greeting.