To Coin a Word: Where Did It Come From?
By Cruz
@Tierkreisze (1609)
Philippines
March 8, 2023 1:47am CST
This has always puzzled me. To "coin" something means you started using a word or phrase in such a unique way, and everybody else just followed suit.
But just where did this meaning of "coin" came from? Who, or what, coined coin?
Tbh, just looking at it now makes me think that the word coin looks weird. 
Anyways, even I don't know where it really came from. But from the website Today I Found Out, I learned that it's been there since 1589, with this phrase:
"...will seeme to coigne fine wordes out of the Latin"
(will seem to coin fine words out of the Latin)
It's a criticism of how young students back then seemed to make up gibberish words from Latin.
Whether or not that became (ironically) the first work of literature to coin the coin is something I find quite funny.
Anyways, even I don't know where it really came from. But from the website Today I Found Out, I learned that it's been there since 1589, with this phrase:
"...will seeme to coigne fine wordes out of the Latin"
(will seem to coin fine words out of the Latin)
It's a criticism of how young students back then seemed to make up gibberish words from Latin.
Whether or not that became (ironically) the first work of literature to coin the coin is something I find quite funny.6 people like this
6 responses
@LadyDuck (472109)
• Switzerland
8 Mar 23
@Tierkreisze Wedge is a word with several different meanings.
1 person likes this
@Tierkreisze (1609)
• Philippines
8 Mar 23
@LadyDuck That's true. Thanks for sharing that to me!
1 person likes this
@Tierkreisze (1609)
• Philippines
8 Mar 23
Oh! Didn't know that the wedge for coigne meant that. I always thought that wedge was meant the thing used for splitting wood.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (137702)
• United States
8 Mar 23
I like Simon Whistler's channels, too. 
But I can't answer your question...
But I can't answer your question...1 person likes this
@Tierkreisze (1609)
• Philippines
8 Mar 23
Haha I don't know Simon Whistler. I just found this while googling 
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (137702)
• United States
8 Mar 23
@Tierkreisze Oh, I see... Simon is the one who owns and runs Today I Found Out. 
I think, but could be mistaken, that he runs eight or ten different channels on YouTube.
I think, but could be mistaken, that he runs eight or ten different channels on YouTube.1 person likes this
@Tierkreisze (1609)
• Philippines
8 Mar 23
@DaddyEvil Oh I see. I was looking at a website that's called Today I Found Out. Maybe he runs that too? I think I gotta look him up on YouTube, since it looks interesting.
1 person likes this
@Jenaisle (14078)
• Philippines
10 Mar 23
It's interesting to learn about the origin of the phrase "to coin" something. It's funny how a criticism of students making up gibberish words from Latin became the possible origin of the phrase. The English language is full of quirks and mysteries, and it's always fascinating to uncover their origins. Thank you for sharing this interesting tidbit with us.
@jobelbojel (36048)
• Philippines
11 Mar 23
This is interesting! And it is similar to the word, cents! What is your two cents about the topic? Something like that.
