It's believed to have originated from the Old English word "egesful," which meant "inspiring awe or fear." This word evolved over time, going through various forms like "awful," "awsome," and finally settling on "awesome."
Here's a breakdown of its evolution:
* Old English (circa 8th-11th centuries): "egesful"
* Middle English (circa 1150-1500): "awful" (originally meaning "inspiring awe")
* 16th-18th centuries: "awsome" (a variant of "awful")
* 19th-20th centuries: "awesome" (its meaning shifts from "inspiring awe or fear" to "impressive or extraordinary")
Interestingly, the transition from "awful" to "awesome" reflects a change in the way we perceive awe. While it once inspired fear and reverence, it now generally connotes a sense of admiration and wonder.
So, while "awesome" might seem like a modern slang term, it actually has deep roots in the English language, evolving from a word denoting fear and awe to one representing impressive greatness!