“Dem” shares a root word with “democracy” (a form of government), “demagogue” (a politician who appeals to emotions), and “demographic” (a population group). These terms all stem from the Greek word “demos,” which means “people.”
Root Word of Dem
The root word “dem” in the English language has two main meanings. It can refer to a group of people or to a place.
Meaning: A Group of People
When “dem” refers to a group of people, it is often used as a pronoun to represent a specific group that has already been mentioned. For example, if you were talking about a group of friends, you might say “They went to the park.” To avoid repeating the word “they,” you could use the pronoun “dem” instead: “They went to the park, and dem had a picnic.”
Meaning: A Place
“Dem” can also be used to refer to a place. In this sense, it is usually used to refer to a specific location that is known to the speaker and the listener. For example, you might say “I’m going to dem store” to indicate that you are going to a specific store that you and the listener are both familiar with.
Historical Usage
The root word “dem” comes from the Old English word “þǣm,” which means “to them.” It was originally used to refer to a specific group of people, but over time it began to be used more generally to refer to any group of people. In the 18th century, “dem” began to be used to refer to a place, and this usage has continued to the present day.
Variations
There are several variations of the root word “dem,” including:
- Them
- Dem
- ‘Em
The spelling of “dem” can vary depending on the dialect of English that is being spoken.
Examples
Here are some examples of how the root word “dem” is used in sentences:
- Dem went to the park.
- I’m going to dem store.
- I saw dem yesterday.
- I talked to dem on the phone.
- I’m going to give dem a call.
Table of “Dem” Variations
| Dialect | Spelling |
|---|---|
| Standard English | them |
| African American Vernacular English | dem |
| Jamaican Patois | ’em |
Question 1:
What is the root word of “dem”?
Answer:
The root word of “dem” is “deme”, which denotes a political subdivision or district in ancient Greece.
Question 2:
What are the morphological changes that occur when forming “dem”?
Answer:
The formation of “dem” from “deme” involves the addition of the suffix “-ion”, which indicates a place or thing associated with something.
Question 3:
How can the root word “dem-” be used to construct related terms?
Answer:
The root word “dem-” can be used as a base to form a variety of related terms, including “democracy”, “demagogue”, and “demonic”, all of which share the underlying meaning of “people” or “populace”.
Well, there you have it, folks! I hope you found this deep dive into the root word “dem” as engaging as I did. Remember, understanding the roots of words can unlock a whole new level of language comprehension. So, keep digging into etymology, and who knows what linguistic treasures you’ll discover. Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to check back soon for more mind-boggling word explorations!