Is the Word Ghetto Related to the Word Spaghetti?

Many inquiries often arise regarding the origins and relationships of certain words in the English language. One such query is whether the words 'ghetto' and 'spaghetti' are somehow linked. While both have Italian origins, they derive from different contexts and roots, making them only loosely related, if at all.

The Word 'Ghetto'

The term 'ghetto' has a rich history that begins in the early 16th century in Venice, Italy. Initially, it referred to a specific area where Jews were required to live, known as the Ghetto. This area was an island close to Venice, near a smelly iron foundry. Venetians decided that any Jewish people arriving in Venice should live in this designated area. This practice was not directly related to the word 'spaghetti.'

The Word 'Spaghetti'

'Spaghetti' is a word that comes from Italian and means "little strings." It is derived from the plural form of 'spaghetto,' which is a diminutive of 'spago,' meaning "cord" or "string" in Latin.

Etymology of 'Spaghetti'

The formation of 'spaghetto' involves the following:

'Spago' derives from the Latin word 'spacus,' meaning "string." '-etto' is a meliorative suffix, which means it improves or softens the meaning of what precedes it. For example, a 'spaghetto' is a "little string."

The 'gh' in 'spaghetto' is part of the combination and does not belong to the 'etto' suffix. The 'h' is added due to Italian orthographic rules.

Origins of 'Ghetto'

The origins of the word 'ghetto' are not entirely clear. It is most likely borrowed from Venetian 'ghèto,' which means "foundry." Another interpretation suggests that the word comes from Italian 'borghetto,' a diminutive of 'borgo,' meaning "village." This interpretation proposes that the first half of the word was lost through apheresis (the loss of letters or sounds at the beginning of a word), leaving just 'ghetto.' This would share a common diminutive with 'spaghetto.'

Are 'Ghetto' and 'Spaghetti' Related?

In conclusion, while both words have Italian origins, they are not directly related in their roots and contexts. Their shared Latin root 'spagus' may provide a tenuous connection in some interpretations, but it is not a direct relationship. Other than being connected by the letter 'gh' and a similar diminutive suffix, the words 'spaghetti' and 'ghetto' do not share a significant etymological link.

This highlights the importance of understanding the origins and development of words in the Italian language, as well as how they have evolved in English. If you have further inquiries or need more detailed information on etymology, please feel free to ask.