An etymological fallacy is an argument of equivocation, arguing that a word is defined by its etymology, and that its customary usage is therefore incorrect.
Occurrence and examples An etymological fallacy becomes possible when a word's meaning shifts over time from its original meaning. Such changes can include a narrowing or widening of scope or a change of connotation (amelioration or pejoration). In some cases, modern usage can shift to the point where the new meaning has no evident connection to its etymon.
Antisemitism The term antisemitism refers to hostility or prejudice against Jewish people, beliefs, and practices. It replaced the earlier term Jew-hatred. The etymological fallacy arises when a speaker asserts its meaning is the one implied by the structure of the word—racism against any of the Semitic peoples.
See also False friends Folk etymology – Process of reinterpretive word formation Genetic fallacy – Fallacy where validity is determined by origin Informal fallacy – Form of incorrect argument in natural language Persuasive definition – Stipulative, biased definition of a term
References
Further reading Gula, Robert J. (2002). Nonsense: A Handbook of Logical Fallacies. Axios Press. pp. 48, 161. ISBN 0-9661908-5-8. Steinmetz, Sol (2008). Semantic Antics: How and Why Words Change Meanings. Random House Reference. ISBN 978-0-375-42612-4.