What’s in a word? Would a rose by any other name smell as sweet? Do words shape ideas, or is it the other way around? Do the limitations of language (homonyms; synonyms; diverse word origins evolving into words sounding the same but meaning totally different things) expand our perspectives while still subtly limiting them?

“Etymology”, the origin of words, is always fascinating. Most words can be traced to Proto-Indo-European, or “PIE”, as it is often abbreviated.

The Trayvon Martin case has forced all of us to look at our own basic prejudices and assumptions.

So the question remains: What’s in a word?

Below are some dictionary definitions and etymologies for three words: “Hoodlum”, “Hood”, and “Hoodie”. When you hear these words, think of what they evoke in your mind, and then read below for the dictionary definitions and believed origins of these words.

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