Here’s another look at a word that has, either alone or in combination with other words, has several meanings.
The most common meaning of fire, of course, is that chemical change that creates heat and light, and usually smoke, which can evolve into a “destructive conflagration”. It was one of four substances thought in ancient and medieval cosmology to constitute the universe, along with earth, air, and water; five, if you count spirit.
But fire also means:
*enthusiasm, passion e.g., “all fired up”
and in one is at work and NOT “fired up” one could be subject to dismissal from employment, “getting fired”
Also:
a severe test; a trial or torment, “under fire”
the discharge of firearms or the like, “ready, aim, fire!”
to bake in a kiln, such as with pottery
to throw with force and speed; “fire a ball at a batter”
to ask questions, “fire away”
exposed to attack, “under fire”
*a burning sensation sometimes produced by drinking strong alcoholic liquor, “firewater”
and a whole lot more
Word History: Primitive Indo-European had pairs of words for some very common things, such as water or fire. Typically, one word in the pair was active, animate, and personified; the other, impersonal and neuter in grammatical gender. In the case of the pair of words for “fire,” English has descendants of both, one inherited directly from Germanic, the other borrowed from Latin.
As is often the case, I have found some songs that address the issue.
First, by The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, a reference to hellfire. This song actually went to #2 in 1968 in the US, and somewhere I have it on some LP.
But the other fire songs here, which I also own, are about passion, romantic passion.
The Ohio Players, a #1 song from the winter of 1974-75.
Bruce Springsteen. His live 1978 version went to #46 in 1987. (I don’t know the vintage of this video.) And here’s a studio version. This Boss song was a big hit for the Pointer Sisters, #2 in the winter of 1978-79.
ABC Wednesday, Round 9
The ability of making fire by the first humans must have been the beginning of civilisation. Cooking food, burning down forests in order to create arable land or fields for cattle. On the other hand also a means to destroy. Any invention creates both good and bad possibilities.
Your posts are always interesting and informative. So are your comments! Thanks for your visit.
I have another song, Feurio by EinstĆ¼rzende Neubauten. Their lyrics are always open to interpretation, but I think it’s about how if enough people are angered and act upon it, the whole world may burn. The Marinus mentioned is probably Marinus von der Lubbe.
Feurio is what Nightwatchmen called out in medieval cities when they saw a fire.
Where did you get the picture with the butterflies? Is that part of a painting?
Always enjoy your posts each week. Today you got me all fired up, which was a fun thing.
What is that butterfly image from? It looks like it is a FIBER art piece! Great post as always-gets the mind in gear.
Wonderful post. I have heard some of this music.
Jennifer and Paula- I Googled fire and limited it to .gov sites, but for the life of me, I can’t find the shot again!
The picture at the bottom looks like a forest fire frying a whole lot of butterfly population š As far as my music knowledge goes I am zilch!!
Terrific post for the F Day as with every day, Roger! Always interesting and I always learn something new! Thanks! Hope your week is going well!
Sylvia
As others have said, Fantastic information and use of the word Fire.
You always get my brain going. Thanks for the post.
My favourite song would be Smoke Gets in Your Eyes!
The Pointer sisters made the fire with this one š They were/are awesome!
Happy F day – good choise!
It’s no wonder English is a difficult language to learn. So many variances of the same word. As for fire songs, one of my favorites is Consuming Fire by Third Day.
I love how you came up with the different ways the word fire is used.
I just realized that I messed up the links in my comment. Here’s the actual song. And it’s van der Lubbe.
Interesting! How about the song “Smoke on the Water”….OK not about fire, but about A fire.
Jane x
Fabulous fire report, Roger.
ā K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel
Fire sure does have a variety of meanings! It’s easy to see how English is hard to learn as a second language.
Fire doesn’t necessarily mean flames. I’ve seen a lot of people burning up over something in their lives that is making them very angry. :))
Very interesting info on fire. Thanks.
I also like Jose Feliciano’s “Come on Baby, Light My Fire!” which could be another connotation. LOL not that there’s much fire like that in my life these days! Hah!!!
Leslie
abcw team
A hot topic for sure.
I love to always associate fire with passion!
Great post, Roger. I love that fiery butterfly photo. Is it yours?
Glad to see you tossed the Boss in the mix. His cover is hawt!
Fascinating F information! I’m partial to fire – at least, to its warmth!
Fire is a fabulous F word, and you handle it with your usual flair. Arthur Brown is weird to watch, but that was a good tune. The other picks are fun too; oooh, those Pointer Sisters… a song I love to sing along with! And The Boss’ live version is pretty hot!
A great choice for F – such a variety of meanings and it is no wonder English is such a wonderful but difficult language.
You always have something unique to share : )
Thank you.
Fire always freaks me out a little. I always get worried it will escape the confines of wherever it is burning and ruin a house!
Me have lighter. Me make fire. Me sing and make fire too.
The Pointer Sisters song is one of my favorites, Roger, thanks for including it! Used to perform it with other women at the Great American Food and Beverage Co in Sta. Monica in the late 70s.
I ignored the “fun” part of the prompt… I’m just warning you! Amy
http://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/08/24/bitter-fruits/
Life without fire would be quiet difficult. We would have to eat everything crude ! and we would freeze too.
In Chinese: Fire water is kerosene.
fire wine is alcohol
If you are a teacher, you will never be fired.
fiery post!
I experienced firewater in Cambodia. Scared the heck out of me.
Fire, one element that we need to take care. If you don’t you ended up getting burn ^_^
ABC Wed
There are a lot a meanings of fire, interesting list.
One of my all time favourites is Julie Driscolls version of Wheels on Fire.
I often get hypnotized by watching fire in the fireplace…or a campfire…
Just the word ‘fire’ conjures up all sorts of primitive wonderings and your occasional s’more.
Fire when contained is wonderful to watch; otherwise it is terrifying.
Thanks for visiting every week – it’s much appreciated! Finally found the time to peruse your blog and it’s fascinating – love all the tidbits of info! Thanks for sharing!