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Destini Cheek

Dr.Cuddy

English 101

21 September 2019
Period Pooh

Why were we taught to use periods as a part of proper punctuation ,but also saying it in

our everyday conversations with peers? The word ​period​ has been around for many years, and is

used as a simple punctuation mark for a sentence. Each word in the English language has a

specific origin, etymology, and frequency as it was developed. A word can have many different

meanings depending on its context, but those meanings and definitions can shift over time.

Although, a word may have been developed during a specific time period, its meaning and

definition can still be used in a variety of different ways as the time period changes. Therefore,

the word ​period​ as used in the English language, can have a shift in meaning, understanding, and

usage of anecdotes as it is used today in the 21st century.

In the English language the word ​period,​ has an origin and a definition. The ​Oxford

English Dictionary ​states that ​period​ has many origins. Its origins are partly a borrowing from

French, and partly a borrowing from Latin (“period,n.,adj.,and adv). Along with its origins, its

etymology is of the middle French period , length of time for which something lasts

(“period,n.,adj.,and adv). According to the ​Oxford English Dictionary, t​ his word can have

multiple definitions. One of the definitions is “A length of time, especially one marked by the

occurrence of phenomenon” (“period,n.,adj.,and adv). A medicine definition for the word ​period

is “The time during which a disease runs its course; the time occupied by each attack of an
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intermittent fever” (“period,n.,adj.,and adv). This source of information justifies how the

definitions and understanding of the word can change over its course of time.

Furthermore, ​periods ​development was during the Middle English era but according to

the ​OED,​ ​periods f​ requency is currently in use.​Period ​is currently apart of the English language

today. which is an example of how the word has still remained useful.The ​Oxford English

Dictionary ​includes that ​period ​has many forms such as; pareode, paryode, and periodies

(“period,n.,and adv.”).These word choices specifies how society uses ​period ​in a variety of

different ways over a time shift. As ​period i​ s used in the English language its meaning has

constantly been changing, whether it is used as a punctuation or a word itself. Words are

constantly changing in the English language over the different eras.

On the other hand, ​period ​has been defined,understood,and used differently during the

Middle English era, but in the 21st century ​period ​is the new slang. Today this word is not only

used as punctuation in a sentence, but it has developed its way into a basic conversation. I choose

to use this word because society today categorizes ​period​ as a way to show confidence, use

slang, and make a joke. In the 21st century, as you listen to a song on the radio you might just

hear the artist yell out “​period​.” People in this specific context have a complete different

understanding of ​period ​verses when it was developed centuries ago. ​Period c​ an even be used to

describe a female’s menstrual cycle in today’s English Language. My experience with this

English word has changed in just a matter of two years, because the word has developed

different meanings.

Many popular social media influencers use ​period ​in basic conversations with friends.

For instance, an instagram influencer, named Ariana, used ​period ​in a sentence, while asking her
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instagram followers what outfit she should wear. Ariana used ​period t​ o her viewers by saying

“What do y’all think I should wear tonight, ​period ​pooh?”(“period,n.,and adv.”) A basic

punctuation symbol has been turned into a unique slang in the 21st century. This word has really

shifted in today’s current English language. I felt so strongly about this word because this is the

generation that I am currently apart of ,and it has become a word that you can hardly go all day

without hearing a teenager say. It was interesting for me to inform my audience,along with

myself,how words we use today were not always used in the same form. Also, ​period ​perceived

as such a common phrase, or joke used today. It was very interesting to me to see how words can

shift with the English language.

The English language has evolved and is continuing to shift. Words are constantly being

​ ociety has to understand that words we use today have

added to the ​Oxford English Dictionary. S

a specific origin, and have evolved into different meanings, and definitions. Words do not just

exist they were developed throughout an era,and come from a specific meaning. ​Period​ was one

of the very few words that society uses, and majority of the society can relate to using, which is

why it was choosin in this essay. It is important to understand the origin of words and how they

have changed in the way we use them as anecdotes.

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Work Cited

“Discover the Story of EnglishMore than 600,000 Words, over a Thousand Years.” ​Home

: Oxford English Dictionary​, https://www.oed.com/.