We call humans "human" because the word's origin traces back to Latin roots connected to both "man" and "earth."
Here's a breakdown of the etymology:
- Origin: The word "human" was first recorded in the mid-13th century.
- Middle French: It derives from the Middle French term "humain," meaning "of or belonging to man."
- Latin Roots: "Humain" comes from the Latin word "humanus."
- Homo and Humus: "Humanus" is believed to be a hybrid relative of:
- Homo (Latin for "man")
- Humus (Latin for "earth")
Therefore, the term "human" links our identity to both our inherent nature (being "man") and our connection to the earth. This etymology implies a fundamental relationship between humanity and the natural world.
