Where does “Christianese” come from?
Christianese (English) comes from English christian, from Middle English Cristien, from Old French chrestien, from Latin Christiānus, from Latin Chrīstus, from Ancient Greek Χριστός, from Ancient Greek χρίω, from Proto-Indo-European gʰrēy- — to rub; to stroke; to grind.
Christianese (English): The terms, catchphrases and theological jargon used by some Christians, commonly from Christian theology and influenced by popular translations of the Bible
Definitions
- The terms, catchphrases and theological jargon used by some Christians, commonly from Christian theology and influenced by popular translations of the Bible
Ancestry of “Christianese”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | christian | A believer in Christianity |
| 2 | Middle English | Cristien | Christian; of those who believe in Christ;... |
| 3 | Old French | chrestien | Christian |
| 4 | Latin | Christiānus | Christian |
| 5 | Latin | Chrīstus | — |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | Χριστός | anointed; messiah; annointed, the annointed one,... |
| 7 | Ancient Greek | χρίω | to rub or smear (especially the body) with oil or unguents; to anoint |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | gʰrēy- | to smear; to paint, streak, smear |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | gʰer- | to rub; to stroke; to grind |