club

Overview

Meaning Now

• A heavy stick with one end thicker than the other, used as a weapon.
• An association of people organized for a common purpose or interest.
• A playing card belonging to the suit marked with a black trefoil.

Journey

The modern sense of an 'association' (the social club) arose in the 17th century, derived from the verb 'to club together,' meaning to pool resources or expenses, as if collecting individual parts into a single lump sum.

Evolution

1. Proto-Germanic

   *klumb-

   “to swell, mass together”

2. Old Norse

   klumba

   “a lump, a thick stick”

3. Middle English

   clubbe

   “a heavy staff or cudgel”

4. 17th century

   club

   “an association of individuals”

   Evolved from the concept of a group of people gathering to share the 'lump' or cost of a bill.

Connections

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Related to club

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