”oferfaett”— overfat
History and the evolution of the word “obese”
Etymology of Obese
From Latin obēsus, derived from obedō (“I devour, eat away”), from ob (“away”) + edō (“I eat”). Displaced native Old English oferfǣtt (literally “overfat”).
The etymology of the word “obese” is quite interesting. It originates from the Latin word “obesus,” which means “having eaten until fat.” This term is derived from “ob-” meaning “over” and “edere,” which means “to eat.” So, the literal translation would be “to eat oneself fat.”
This etymology reflects a direct and somewhat blunt understanding of obesity in ancient times, connecting it directly to the act of eating. It’s a fascinating insight into how language evolves and how historical perspectives on body weight were conceptualized and communicated.