Why is words called words?

The word "word" actually has a pretty interesting history! It comes from the Old English word "word," which itself comes from the Proto-Germanic word "wurda."

Here's a breakdown of the history:

* Proto-Germanic "wurda": This was the original form of the word, and it meant "something spoken" or "something said."

* Old English "word": This was a direct descendant of the Proto-Germanic word, and it kept the same meaning.

* Modern English "word": This is the word we use today, and it still retains the basic meaning of "something spoken" or "something said."

So, in essence, the word "word" is called "word" because it describes itself! It's a name that signifies the very thing it represents: a spoken or written form of communication.

It's like the word "tree" describing a tree, or the word "water" describing water. It's a basic building block of language that has been used for centuries.