Proto-Indo-European (PIE):
* "*dʰenǵʰ-" - This word is believed to have meant "to stretch, extend, point." It was a root word that gave rise to words related to assembly, law, and even the idea of "things."
Proto-Germanic:
* "*þing" - This word evolved from the PIE root and had a range of meanings, including "assembly," "council," "law," and "thing" (in the sense of an object). It's interesting that the meaning of "assembly" is so prominent, as it connects to the ancient Germanic concept of "thing" as a gathering of people for legal and political purposes.
Old English:
* "þing" - The word was adopted into Old English, retaining its multifaceted meanings.
Middle English:
* "thing" - The spelling transitioned to "thing," and its meanings continued to evolve and become more specific.
Modern English:
* "thing" - In modern English, "thing" is used broadly to refer to any object, entity, or concept. Its flexibility and somewhat vague nature makes it a highly versatile word.
Interesting Notes:
* The word "thing" is closely related to the word "think." This connection is evident in the Proto-Germanic root "*þenk-" (to think), which shares the same origin as "*þing." The idea of "thinking" as a process of "stretching out" the mind is possibly related to the idea of "things" as things that are "stretched out" in front of us.
* The word "thing" has a strong presence in legal terminology. For example, the word "thing" is used in phrases like "personal thing" and "real thing" to describe different types of property.
* The word "thingamajig" is a playful and informal use of the word "thing," highlighting its broadness and ability to be applied to almost anything.
Overall, the word "thing" has a rich and complex etymology, reflecting its evolution from a word related to assembly and law to a word with a wide range of meanings in modern English.