Every word By Adeline Atlas (SOS: School Of Soul)
Jan 27, 2026
ORDER YOUR COPY
The Evolution of Words: Cheat
Words are living entities. They’re born, evolve, and sometimes die. Consider the word cheat. Today, it’s laden with negative connotations, synonymous with deceit and dishonesty. But in the Middle Ages, cheat had an entirely different meaning.
Derived from the French word escheat, it referred to gaining something effortlessly or by chance—like inheriting wealth or stumbling upon a fortune. Doesn’t that sound a lot like a miracle?
This transformation highlights how words can be stripped of their original power and redefined to suit a narrative. By overstanding the origins of words, you can reclaim their positive vibrations and use them as tools for creation.
Individuals with linguistic intelligence recognize the hidden nuances in language. They overstand that words are more than communication tools—they’re instruments of influence. Politicians, speakers, and leaders know this, carefully selecting words to inspire, persuade, or control.