What does the word "hark" actually mean? | | This antiquated term was used by hunters and Shakespeare, but now its place is firmly cemented in festive holiday music. | |  | Rachel Gresh |
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| |  | | A s the holiday season unfolds, it's hard not to be swept up in the wave of festive traditions, which is how I found myself mindlessly humming a familiar Christmas tune: "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." I've heard it countless times — it reverberates through shopping malls, TV commercials, and holiday films all season long — but I've never fully understood what the verb "hark" means. As I was curious about the definition of a word I sing every year, I did some digging and discovered that "hark" is not a word sung by angels — it's an imperative call to action.
When Charles Wesley wrote this hymn in 1739, he used the term "hark" as a command meaning "listen" or "pay attention." In this context, Wesley is urging listeners to pay attention to the angels' forthcoming song. This definition has remained consistent for centuries, originating from the Old English word heorcian (meaning "to hearken" or "to listen"). While not commonly used today, "hark" has been used historically as a literary and poetic device to add urgency and drama.
Shakespeare frequently used it to capture the attention of the audience. In "Macbeth," for instance, an assassin calls out, "Hark, I hear horses" — a dramatic moment that precedes Banquo's death. Similarly, in "Titus Andronicus," Titus commands, "Hark, villains, I will grind your bones to dust," drawing attention to the importance of the moment. In these cases, "hark" heightens the drama and foreshadows important events.
The evolution of "hark" continued through the 19th century as the term was adopted by hunters who shouted "hark" to their hounds as a command to reorient and pick up a lost scent. From this usage came the modern phrase "hark back," meaning "to return to a previous point," as in, "They kept harking back to the decision made during last week's meeting." In a more critical context, the verb phrase "hark at" evolved to express disapproval. For instance, "Hark at him. He's acting like he knows everything!" In this case, "hark at" intends to criticize, akin to saying, "Listen to that!" with an air of judgment.
Despite its transformation over the last thousand years, at its core, "hark" still means "listen to." While it's not often used in everyday conversation, its enduring presence in literature and holiday music encourages us to pay attention to the important things. |
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Emoji Decoded | |  | | Multiple Musical Notes | | | Meaning: Indicates music, singing, or audio content through a set of eighth notes.
Evolution: Distinguished from the Musical Note 🎵, which commonly indicates performing or composing music, this emoji is more informal and playful. It's commonly used to indicate that someone is listening to or sharing music.
Usage: [Caption on a playlist share:] My workout motivation mix 🎶💪 |
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| | Multiple Musical Notes | | | Meaning: Indicates music, singing, or audio content through a set of eighth notes.
Evolution: Distinguished from the Musical Note 🎵, which commonly indicates performing or composing music, this emoji is more informal and playful. It's commonly used to indicate that someone is listening to or sharing music.
Usage: [Caption on a playlist share:] My workout motivation mix 🎶💪 |
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Have you read? | |  | | A Century of Tomorrows | | By Glenn Adamson | | I picked this up, eager to explore predictions for the next decades, but that's not what I got. It's a historical account of futurology, which is a social science(ish) of prognosticators. And I was not disappointed. After all, how can we know the future without learning from the past? Adamson deeply explores key figures who shaped the way the past has viewed the future and how those perspectives are still shifting the future of today. | | | | Jennifer A. Freeman, Word Smarts Senior Editor | | | | We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. |
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| | A Century of Tomorrows | | By Glenn Adamson | | I picked this up, eager to explore predictions for the next decades, but that's not what I got. It's a historical account of futurology, which is a social science(ish) of prognosticators. And I was not disappointed. After all, how can we know the future without learning from the past? Adamson deeply explores key figures who shaped the way the past has viewed the future and how those perspectives are still shifting the future of today. | | | | Jennifer A. Freeman, Word Smarts Senior Editor | | | | We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. |
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