word for word
word for word (idiom)
/ˌwɜːd fə ˈwɜːd/ (UK) · /ˌwɝːd fɚ ˈwɝːd/ (US)
The phrase “word for word” derives from the combination of the Old English noun “word,” meaning speech or utterance, and the preposition “for,” indicating equivalence or substitution. This compound expression emerged to denote exact linguistic replication, emphasizing fidelity in repeating or translating a text.
Meanings
- Exactly as written or spoken; each word is repeated without change.
- To repeat or copy something in the exact same wording without change.
- To follow the original text or speech strictly, with no alteration.
Synonyms: verbatim; literally; precisely; exactly; faithfully.
Example Sentences
- The lawyer quoted the contract word for word during the trial.
- The student translated the passage word for word from Latin.
- She memorized the speech word for word to ensure she delivered it exactly as the author intended.
Origin and History
The etymological roots of the phrase align with broader Indo-European patterns where terms for speech are paired with markers of precision, yet “word for word” is a distinctly English formation, not directly borrowed from Latin or other classical languages. The phrase likely gained prominence in contexts demanding verbatim accuracy, such as religious, legal, or scholarly transcription, where precise wording was essential.
Theories and Beliefs on Its Development
The development of “word for word” is closely tied to medieval practices of textual transmission, particularly in religious and scholarly contexts.
One theory posits that it arose to distinguish literal translation—adhering strictly to each word of a source text—from looser, sense-based paraphrasing, a distinction critical in translating sacred texts where fidelity was a theological priority.
Another perspective connects the phrase to oral traditions, where exact recitation preserved cultural or legal knowledge before widespread literacy. As written texts became central to intellectual life, “word for word” evolved into a hallmark of authenticity, contrasting with interpretive approaches that risked altering meaning. These theories highlight the phrase’s role in shaping discourses around textual integrity across diverse domains.
Country of First Appearance
The phrase originated in England during the Middle English period, specifically within the vernacular literature of medieval Britain. Its emergence reflects England’s unique linguistic environment, where English was developing as a literary language alongside Latin and Anglo-Norman French. The phrase’s early use in manuscripts points to its roots in England’s growing tradition of written scholarship, particularly in translations and adaptations of classical or religious texts, where precision in wording was increasingly valued.
Earliest Printed Record
The earliest known use of “word for word” appears in a manuscript of the Middle English poem Cursor Mundi, composed around 1300. The anonymous author employs the phrase to describe faithfully reproducing a source text, as seen in the line:
“This ilk bok es translate word for word.”
This work, a religious narrative covering biblical and world history, was circulated in manuscript form during the medieval period, with no printed edition until the nineteenth century. The citation underscores the phrase’s role in emphasizing textual fidelity, a concern central to medieval scribes and translators, and establishes the phrase as a foundational idiom in English literary tradition.
Variants
- word by word
- in exact words
- in the same words
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