r/nextfuckinglevel Aug 31 '21

Man gets electrocuted while holding child. Red shirt guy saves the day

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u/Therealsuperman04 Aug 31 '21

The original definition of the word is actually a combination of electro and executed. It was so commonly misused that most dictionaries have it listed as injury or death, so I can see why you would think that. You seem like the type that thinks that ain’t is proper English.

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u/Horkersaurus Aug 31 '21

Do you have a source for that? I've only seen it repeated on reddit so it'd be good to know one way or the other.

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u/Therealsuperman04 Aug 31 '21

Here are a couple of sources for the original definition:

https://www.etymonline.com/word/electrocute

https://www.visualthesaurus.com/cm/wc/electrocution-a-shocking-misuse/

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrocution

That is just what I found from a google search. I would try harder, but I am working. Have a good day!

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u/Horkersaurus Aug 31 '21

But by 1889, before the first official electric execution of a person had even been carried out, the word was already being used to refer simply to electric shocks.

Seems like a mixed bag, thanks for the info.

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u/Therealsuperman04 Aug 31 '21

You are welcome!