853: error, err, and errand Apr 9, 2017

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While 'wander', 'wonder', 'wind' etc are all related through a Germanic root, you will also find in English a slew of words related to the meaning of wander that come from Latin. The words 'error' and the verb 'err', which rhymes with 'her' and it is considered erroneous to be pronounced like 'air', all (including 'erroneous') come from the Latin verb 'errare' meaning 'to make a mistake', but also 'go astray' either from a literal path or perhaps a more philosophical one. The words that were adopted into English tend to relate to mistakes and not meandering, but you might now assume that 'errand' would be related. If you did, then keep in mind that to err is human, and it turns out 'errand' is Germanic and the Old English 'ǣrende' meant 'message' or 'mission'.

For more, see 'vagabond'

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