con

English has several words spelled con: the verb to study or learn, the adverb against, the verb to steer a ship, and the slang swindle.^[1][2][3]

Pronunciation

• IPA: /kɒn/ (UK); /kɑn/ (US)^[4]

con¹ study, learn

Etymology

The verb is inherited from Middle English connen, a variant of cunnen, inherited from Old English cunnan (“to know, know how”) (see can),^[1][2][5] with its vowel from the Old English present forms con, can, and partly from the weak Old English cunnian.^[3][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

To study or learn by heart: about 1425, in Andrew of Wyntoun's Chronicle, in Barnhart, though conned as a past tense of con thanks, to give thanks, is found by 1325.^[1] Hoad notes that it is not clearly separate from cun before the 15th century.^[2]

Semantic evolution

The old senses of knowing were taken over by can.^[3] Con came to mean to commit to memory and to peruse or scan carefully.^[2][6] In northern and Midland dialect it meant to meditate on something in order to learn it.^[7]

Timeline

• 1325 – conned, in con thanks.^[1]
• c. 1425 – to study, memorize.^[1]

Modern meaning

Verb

1. (archaic) To study or examine carefully; to peruse.
2. To learn or commit to memory.

con² against

Etymology

The adverb is short for from Latin contrā (“against”) (see contra).^[1][8][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

Against a proposition: 1572, originally in pro and con,^[1] the 1570s in Etymonline.^[8]

Semantic evolution

The noun, a reason or argument against, is from 1589,^[1][5] chiefly in pros and cons; it can also mean a person who argues or votes against.^[3][6]

Timeline

• 1572 – pro and con.^[1]
• 1589 – an argument against.^[1][5]

Modern meaning

Adverb

1. In opposition; against.

Noun

1. An argument or reason against something, chiefly in pros and cons.
2. A person who holds an opposing view.

con³ steer a ship

Etymology

The nautical verb is a reduced form of obsolete cond, from condue,^[2][3] borrowed from Old French conduire (“to conduct, guide”),^[8][2] from Latin condūcere (“to lead together”) (see conduct).^[8][2]

Earliest recorded meaning

To direct the steering of a ship: 1626 in the OED,^[9] the 1620s in Etymonline.^[8]

Semantic evolution

The noun, the action or post of conning a ship, is from 1825.^[8] The conning tower, the armoured pilot house of a warship and later of a submarine, is from 1865.^[8][2]

Timeline

• 1626 – to steer a ship.^[9]
• 1825 – the post of conning.^[8]
• 1865 – conning tower.^[8]

Modern meaning

Verb

1. To direct the steering of a ship.

Noun

1. The control or post of the person steering a ship.

Word family

• conning tower

con⁴ swindle

Etymology

The slang word is short for confidence, in confidence man (1849) or confidence game,^[1][8][2] from the many scams in which the victim is persuaded to hand over money as a token of confidence.^[8][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

Swindling, in con man: 1889, in American English.^[1][8]

Semantic evolution

The verb, to swindle, is from 1896,^[1] and con artist is from 1910.^[8] The verb has also come to mean to persuade by deceit.^[3][10]

Timeline

• 1849 – confidence man.^[8]
• 1889 – con man.^[1][8]
• 1896 – the verb, to swindle.^[1]
• 1910 – con artist.^[8]

Modern meaning

Verb

1. (informal) To swindle or trick someone, especially after winning their trust.

Noun

1. (informal) A confidence trick; a swindle.

Word family

• con man
• con artist
• con game

Related words

• couth
• cuddle
• cunning
• ken
• unconned
• pros and cons
• can
• contra
• conduct
• confidence

Usage notes

Con is also slang for a convict (1893),^[1][3] and short for convention, especially a meeting of science-fiction fans (late 20th century).^[3] In mod con it is short for convenience.^[3]

References

1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
4. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
5. ^ a b c d e Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
6. ^ a b The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin
7. ^ Wright, Joseph, ed. (1898–1905), The English Dialect Dictionary, 6 vols., Oxford: Henry Frowde; via EDD Online 4.0, University of Innsbruck (CC BY 4.0)
8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
9. ^ a b Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
10. ^ Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins