How did the word news originate

The word "news" has a long and fascinating history. The term "news" comes from the Old English word "nōwes," which was derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*naujiz," meaning "new" or "fresh." This Proto-Germanic word is also the source of the Modern English word "new."

In Old English, the word "nōwes" referred to new or recent information, often used in the context of reporting or announcing events. For example, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a collection of annals written in Old English, uses the word "nōwes" to describe new events or developments.

During the Middle English period (circa 1100-1500), the word "news" began to take on a more specific meaning, referring to information about current events or happenings. This sense of the word is evident in the works of Chaucer, who uses "news" to describe rumors, gossip, or reports of events.

The modern sense of the word "news" as we understand it today, referring to factual reports of events, began to emerge during the 16th century. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century and the development of newspapers in the 16th and 17th centuries helped to spread news more widely and rapidly, leading to a greater emphasis on reporting and disseminating factual information.

In the 17th century, the term "news" became more formalized, with the establishment of news agencies and the development of standardized reporting practices. The first news agency, the London Gazette, was founded in 1665, and it set the standard for news reporting and dissemination.

Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, the word "news" continued to evolve, with the development of new technologies, such as the telegraph and radio, which enabled faster and more widespread dissemination of news. The 20th century saw the rise of television and the internet, which further transformed the way news is reported and consumed.

Today, the word "news" is used to describe a wide range of information, from breaking news and current events to in-depth reporting and analysis. The term has become synonymous with factual reporting and has played a crucial role in shaping our understanding of the world.