eolian

Pronounced: ee-OH-lee-uhn, adj

Notes: Another new word for me

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Yesterday’s word

The word gesellschaft means “social relations based on impersonal ties, such as obligations to an institution or society”

First usage

This word came about in the 1960s

Background / Comments

Our word comes from the German word Gesellschaft (society; company; party), which is made up of Geselle (companion) and -schaft (-ship). Yesterday, I mentioned Sherlock Holmes. In the first short story (A Scandal in Bohemia), Holmes and Watson are examining the notepaper making an appointment. Holmes points to a “Gt” woven into the paper and explains that it stands for “Gesellschaft” (Company). The “Gt” is a common abbreviation, much as we use “Co” for “Company”. I remembered this scene after I read the definition; however, since the English meaning isn’t “Company”, even remembering it beforehand wouldn’t have helped me with the correct definition.