26/10/2013
The English language is a vast tapestry, woven from threads of countless origins, each word carrying a unique tale of its evolution. Among these, 'bizarre' stands out as particularly intriguing, its very sound hinting at something out of the ordinary. But how did this word come to describe the strange, the unusual, and the eccentric? Its journey is far more colourful and complex than one might initially imagine, stretching back centuries and crossing linguistic borders to reveal a surprising initial meaning that contrasts sharply with its contemporary usage.
Today, when we describe something as 'bizarre', we typically mean it deviates markedly from what is ordinary, usual, or expected. It implies a sense of strangeness, oddity, or eccentricity. A bizarre outfit might involve mismatched colours and unconventional shapes, while a bizarre idea could be one that defies all logical reasoning. It’s a word that evokes an image of something strikingly unconventional, often with a hint of the perplexing or even the unsettling. Yet, its origins tell a story of courage, valour, and a linguistic transformation that redefined its very essence.
A Glimpse into Early French Usage: 'Bigearre' and the Shift
Our journey into the etymology of 'bizarre' must begin in 16th-century France, where the word first gained prominence in a form that might seem unfamiliar to modern eyes. Alongside 'bizarre', one would frequently encounter spellings such as 'bigearre' and 'bijarre'. Historical texts from the period, including works by celebrated authors like Régnier and Racan, show these variations in common use. Indeed, the grammarian Vaugelas, a key figure in standardising the French language in the 17th century, even noted that 'bigearre' and 'bizarre' were used interchangeably.
However, as linguistic evolution often dictates, one form eventually prevails. Influential figures like Marguerite Buffet and Thomas Corneille advocated exclusively for 'bizarre', leading to its eventual triumph and the gradual fading of 'bigearre' and 'bijarre' into obsolescence. This standardisation cemented 'bizarre' as the accepted spelling, paving the way for its later adoption into English.
What is truly fascinating about this period, however, is not just the spelling variations but the initial meaning attributed to the word. Far from its current connotation of strangeness, 'bizarre' (and its variants) frequently carried a sense of 'valiant' or 'brave'. For instance, in his 16th-century work, Lanoue remarks, "Le soldat françois est beaucoup plus bisarre: et ne peut quasi vivre sans se battre, ne monstrant que trop sa valeur contre ses compagnons." Translated, this suggests the French soldier is "much more valiant", almost unable to live without fighting, demonstrating his bravery against his comrades. This early usage paints a picture of a word associated with courage and a fighting spirit, a stark contrast to its contemporary meaning.
Other historical examples from the 16th century also highlight a nascent shift or a broader interpretation. Despériers spoke of "opinions bigearres," perhaps implying not just strange, but strongly held or idiosyncratic views. D'Aubigné described "un petit homme bisarre et qui jure en diable," suggesting an eccentric or perhaps even fiercely independent character. Paré mentioned a "Maladie d'une nature estrange et bigerre," where 'bigerre' hinted at an unusual or peculiar nature. Even the description of the "assiette de Luxembourg est fort bisarre" by Du Bellay could mean its position was unusually strong or irregularly situated, rather than merely odd. These examples collectively suggest a word already grappling with nuances beyond mere valour, leaning towards the unconventional.
The Spanish Connection: Where the Journey Truly Begins
The consensus among etymologists is that the French 'bizarre' ultimately derives from the Spanish and Portuguese word 'bizarro'. In these Iberian languages, 'bizarro' holds meanings such as 'magnanimous', 'valiant', 'gallant', or 'spirited'. This aligns perfectly with the initial sense of bravery seen in early French usage, confirming the direct lineage. While Italian also has a word 'bizarro' meaning 'impetuous' or 'angry', and a noun 'bizza' meaning 'anger', linguists largely dismiss it as the direct source for the French word. The primary reason is the suffix '-arr', which is not characteristic of Italian word formation, whereas it is present in the Spanish 'bizarro'. Therefore, all signs point to the Iberian Peninsula as the true birthplace of our peculiar word.
Tracing the Roots of 'Bizarro': Two Competing Theories
While the Spanish origin of the French word is well-established, the etymology of the Spanish 'bizarro' itself is subject to two main theories, both offering intriguing insights into the word's deeper historical layers:
- The Basque Theory: One compelling hypothesis suggests that 'bizarro' originated from the Basque word 'bizarra', meaning 'beard'. The Basque scholar Larramendi proposed that 'bizarra' could be broken down into 'biz arra', which he interpreted as 'qu'il soit un homme' or 'let him be a man'. In many cultures, a beard has historically been a symbol of masculinity, strength, and courage. Thus, a "bearded" man could easily be associated with bravery and valour, providing a logical semantic link to 'bizarro's original meaning of valiant or magnanimous.
- The Arabic Theory: Another significant theory traces 'bizarro' back to the Arabic word 'bāshāret'. This Arabic term signifies 'beauty', 'elegance', or 'good news'. The proposed evolution suggests a path from 'beauty' or 'elegance' to 'chivalrous' or 'valiant', as qualities of a noble or well-bred person. From there, it could have branched out to encompass 'anger', 'impetuosity', and eventually 'extravagance' or 'eccentricity'. This theory posits a more indirect, yet plausible, journey of meaning, where positive attributes of a noble warrior gradually morphed into descriptions of behaviour that might be considered excessive or unconventional.
Both theories highlight a connection to qualities of character, whether through a symbol of masculinity (beard) or an attribute of nobility (elegance/chivalry), ultimately leading to the concept of bravery or distinctiveness.
The Semantic Shift: From Valour to Oddity
Perhaps the most complex and fascinating aspect of 'bizarre's journey is its dramatic semantic shift. How did a word meaning 'valiant' or 'brave' come to mean 'strange' or 'eccentric'? This transformation is not uncommon in language, where words often acquire new connotations based on cultural perceptions and evolving usage.
One possible explanation lies in the nature of bravery itself. A truly valiant act often stands out; it deviates from the norm of caution or self-preservation. Such actions, while admirable, can be perceived as unusual, unconventional, or even extreme. Over time, the emphasis might have shifted from the admirable quality of the deviation to the deviation itself. A 'bizarre' (brave) person might be seen as having an unconventional or striking character, leading to the broader application of the term to anything that is strikingly out of the ordinary.
Another perspective is that 'bizarre' might have initially described a person whose bravery manifested in an overly flamboyant, showy, or even reckless manner. This 'over-the-top' valour could then have been extended to describe anything that was excessive, extravagant, or simply odd. The word thus transitioned from describing an admirable quality to describing a noticeable, and perhaps unconventional, characteristic or behaviour. By the 17th century in France, the shift was largely complete, with 'bizarre' firmly establishing itself in the sense of 'strange' or 'odd', a meaning it carried when it was adopted into English.
Bizarre vs. Its Cousins: Fantastical and Extravagant
While 'bizarre' is often used interchangeably with words like 'fantastical' or 'extravagant', a deeper look reveals subtle but important distinctions, as highlighted by lexicographers like Laveaux. Understanding these nuances helps us appreciate the precise shade of meaning 'bizarre' conveys:
| Word | Core Meaning | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
| Bizarre | Deviating from ordinary taste or accepted customs. | Implies an unsuitable singularity; something strikingly odd or peculiar in a way that often feels out of place or unexpected. It's about a unique, often quirky, departure from the norm. |
| Fantastical | Deviating by sudden changes of idea or whim. | Refers to something capricious, whimsical, or highly imaginative; often implying a lack of consistent thought or a tendency towards flights of fancy. It’s about being unpredictable and driven by transient ideas. |
| Extravagant | Deviating in a manner contrary to common sense. | Suggests something excessive, unreasonable, or beyond rational bounds. It often carries connotations of wastefulness, over-the-top display, or a lack of moderation. |
For example, an artist known for their 'bizarre' creations might produce sculptures that are uniquely strange and defy classification. A 'fantastical' person might suddenly decide to move to a remote island on a whim. An 'extravagant' gesture might involve spending an exorbitant amount of money on a fleeting pleasure. While all three denote a departure from the usual, 'bizarre' specifically points to a singular, often striking, oddity that catches one off guard.
Frequently Asked Questions About 'Bizarre'
Q: Is 'bizarre' ever used with its original meaning of 'valiant' today?
A: No, not in modern English or even contemporary French. The semantic shift is complete, and the word is exclusively used to mean strange, unusual, or eccentric.
Q: Is 'bizarre' a positive or negative word?
A: 'Bizarre' is generally neutral to slightly negative, implying strangeness or oddity. It can sometimes be used admiringly in contexts of art or fashion to describe something uniquely unconventional, but more often it suggests something perplexing or even unsettling.
Q: Are there other English words that have undergone such a dramatic semantic shift?
A: Absolutely! The English language is full of them. A classic example is 'nice', which originally meant 'ignorant' or 'foolish' in the 13th century, deriving from the Latin 'nescius' (not knowing). Over centuries, its meaning softened through various stages to its current positive connotation of pleasant or agreeable.
Q: Why did 'bizarre' prevail over 'bigearre' in French?
A: The triumph of 'bizarre' over 'bigearre' was part of a broader trend towards linguistic standardisation in France, particularly in the 17th century. Influential grammarians and lexicographers often advocated for specific spellings and pronunciations to bring uniformity to the language. While there might not be one definitive reason for 'bizarre's victory, it likely came down to a combination of factors, including aesthetic preference, perceived clarity, and the authority of those promoting it.
Conclusion
The word 'bizarre' offers a compelling case study in linguistic evolution. From its probable roots in Spanish 'bizarro', meaning 'valiant' or 'magnanimous', and its even deeper connections to Basque 'bizarra' (beard) or Arabic 'bāshāret' (beauty/elegance), the word embarked on a peculiar journey. It passed through French, where it briefly held its original sense of bravery before undergoing a profound semantic shift to describe the strange and unconventional. This transformation highlights the dynamic nature of language, where meanings are fluid and constantly shaped by cultural context and evolving usage. The next time you encounter something truly bizarre, take a moment to appreciate the rich and often surprising history embedded within that single, intriguing word.
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