1. Old French "bord" (c. 12th century): This word meant "edge" or "border."
2. "Bored" as a verb (16th century): Initially, "bored" meant "to pierce," referring to making a hole with a drill or auger. This is where the connection to "border" comes in, as creating a hole would essentially be "bordering" a surface.
3. The shift to "weary" (17th century): The meaning of "bored" started to shift toward a feeling of weariness or tedium. This likely arose from the image of being "bored" through by tedious or monotonous tasks, leaving one feeling empty or drained.
4. "Bored" as a passive form (18th century): The word became a passive participle, signifying a state of being weary or uninterested.
5. "Bored" in modern English (19th century): By the 19th century, "bored" solidified its current meaning of feeling uninterested, tired, and lacking stimulation.
In short, "bored" originated from the concept of "piercing" or "making a hole," which then evolved to represent a feeling of weariness, possibly due to the image of being "bored" through by tedious tasks. It eventually transitioned into the passive form, signifying a state of boredom.