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The surprising shared root of hostel and hostile

28 September 2024 · 25 views · 0 likes · 0 reposts · 92 blog views

Content learning philosophy

First, "hostel" comes from the Old French word "hostel" (which is "hôtel" in modern French). It was all about providing a place for travelers or guests - a cozy, budget-friendly spot to crash for the night. This idea of hospitality stuck around, and now we’ve got "hostels" all over the world, known for their warm, social vibes. It's like the Latin root stuck with the whole "make guests feel welcome" energy.

On the other hand, "hostile" went a completely different direction. It also comes from "hospes," but it evolved through the Latin word "hostis," which originally meant stranger or foreigner. Over time, though, the word "hostis" started carrying more of a negative vibe - strangers were seen as potential threats. You know how it goes... unfamiliar faces can sometimes make people nervous (my youngest is afraid of all strangers). And so, "hostile" eventually came to mean someone who is unfriendly or even an enemy.

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