Etymology, the branch of linguistics that studies the historical origin of words and how their form and meaning change over time, reveals fascinating stories behind everyday language. According to Dr. Lita A. Bacalla, Aristotle first discussed the relationship between words and their meanings. Franz Bopp later compared languages to trace common origins. A notable local writer in this field is Dr. Jess Tirol, who has published numerous word lists.
The Origin of 'Paldo'
The word 'paldo' originates from the Spanish 'fardo,' which means 'bundle' or 'large bundle of cargo' or 'large bundle of money.' Over time, 'fardo' became 'paldo' in Tagalog, referring to large bundles of money or having plenty of money. It eventually became associated with 'bundle of money' or 'wealth.' However, among Bisaya speakers, the word 'paldo' took on new meanings due to the game Scatter.
Bisaya speakers now use 'paldo' in various contexts, all related to winning, having a lot of money, luck, jackpot, and similar concepts. The opposite of 'paldo' is 'pakdot,' which means 'lose' or 'defeated.' This has become an expression used in different situations with diverse meanings.
Examples of 'Paldo' in Use
- Paldo - lucky: "Wow, paldo! Buotan og uyab" (Wow, lucky! Good boyfriend)
- Paldo - having a lot of money: "Hayahaya, paldo, nakadawat sa maleta" (So comfortable, rich, received a suitcase)
- Paldo - big profit: "Paldo ang drayber kay gipakyaw sa foreigner" (The driver earned a lot because a foreigner chartered him)
- Paldo - jackpot/big win: "Nakapaldo siya sa raffle, jackpot!" (He hit the jackpot in the raffle, jackpot!) and "Balato, beh, kay nakapaldo ka sa swertres" (Share your luck, because you won in Swertres)
- Paldo - wealthy condition: "Dako og balay ug yutaan ang pamilya, paldo gyud sila!" (Big house and land, they are really wealthy!)
- Paldo - very lucky: "Paldo gyud siya kay gipakaslan sa AFAM/madala na sa snow" (He is really lucky because he married a foreigner/will be taken to snow)
Why Study Etymology?
According to Zeus Salazar, language and culture are inseparable. Studying etymology helps understand the true meaning of words and their origins, making it easier to learn both past and present meanings. It also reveals the history and culture of a language, as many words come from different languages and cultures, such as Greek, Spanish, English, and others. This creates various contexts for how words are used and, most importantly, helps expand our vocabulary.
Thus, the study of etymology—examining the source of words—is crucial for protecting and honoring the history of our language, which the youth and future generations should learn and know.
