Juvenis— from *h2oyu”— long time, lifetime.

I don’t want to be young!

The etymology of the word “youth” takes us on a fascinating journey through language and history. This word, which refers to the period of being young, particularly the time between childhood and adulthood, has its roots in the Old English term “geoguð.” This Old English word was primarily used to denote “youthfulness” or the qualities characteristic of young people.

The Old English “geoguð” itself comes from the Proto-Germanic *jugunthiz, which is also the source of related words in other Germanic languages, such as the Old Saxon “juguth,” the Old Frisian “juguth,” the Old High German “jugund,” and the Gothic “jugunþs.”

These Germanic words trace further back to the Proto-Indo-European root *juwenko-, which means “young.” This root is also the source of Latin “juvenis,” which is familiar to us in words like “juvenile” and “rejuvenate.”

The shift from “geoguð” to “youth” in English involved a typical evolution of sounds and spellings over the centuries, as Old English morphed into Middle English and then into Modern English.

In summary, “youth” has a rich linguistic lineage that connects it to ancient terms signifying youngness, a theme that has remained consistent throughout its evolution. This evolution reflects not only changes in language but also the enduring significance of the concept of youth across different cultures and times.