Here at Cronvo, we know that the word “conversation” means something different to everyone. We’ve had meeting after meeting trying to come to a conclusion about what “conversation” really means in 2017. To many people today, it just means any form of communication — not necessarily something vocal like a phone call. It could be something completely impersonal, like a text or an email. Cronvo wants to bring the meaning back into today’s conversations.
This got us wondering where the word “conversation” comes from. Has it always meant the same thing? Is it a relatively new word, or is it left over from antiquity? We did a little digging to find out.
Originally from Latin, “conversation” came to English through Old French.
In Latin, it was conversatio. The French added an “n” to the end, and it stuck.
The first use of the word as we know it today was in the 14th century.
Back then, it described how a person conducted themselves in public. It could also refer to one’s way of life.
In the 14–18th centuries, “conversation” referred to how one interacted with others.
It could also be used to describe business interactions.
From the 16th-19th centuries, “conversation” was a euphemism for sex.
When you’re trying to be prim and proper, anything can become a euphemism if you wiggle your eyebrows and wink enough.
What does “conversation” mean in 2017?
Team Cronvo feels that “conversation” is when people talk to each other to connect and share meaning. We take inspiration from one of its 14th century meanings — one’s way of life — and try to make conversation a part of who we are. It’s not just text on a screen, it’s not just small talk on the bus, conversation is a part of who we are and how we present ourselves to the world.
How do YOU feel about the “conversation”? Tweet @cronvo with your answers!
Bonus Fact:
An anagram for “conversations” is “nano vortices,” the plural form of nano vortex. A nano vortex is simply a vortex on a nanoscale.
Check out www.cronvo.com to sign up to beta test our conversation-based app.
