Comment on Reflection 24

Discussion 2 to Reflection 24
Comment on Reflection 24

by Maarten van den Driest

Re: Reflection 24

The old word ‘sin’ could well be an old version of German ‘sein’, which litterally means ‘to be/to exist’. Dutch uses the exact same verb to this day, but spells it as ‘zijn’.

The derivation of the English word ‘sin’ is something else, though.

From etymonline:

sin – O.E. synn “wrongdoing, offense, misdeed,” from P.Gmc. *sundjo, probably ult. “true” (cf. Goth. sonjis, O.N. sannr “true”), with semantic development via notion of “to be truly the one (who is guilty),” as in O.N. phrase verð sannr at “be found guilty of.” The verb is O.E. syngian “to commit sin.”

It’s a nice trick in general conversation, to prove a certain point but not strictly spoken correct.