The Words We Use, From Hiring and Renting to the Curious Case of Shrinks
Language is a living, breathing entity. It evolves with us, absorbing new words, shedding old ones, and constantly reshaping the way we communicate. A single word can carry the weight of centuries of history, or it can be a modern invention, a product of slang and cultural change. Understanding the nuances of words like “hire” and “rent,” the origins of terms like “kudos,” or the strange etymology of “shrink” is not merely an academic exercise. It is a way of understanding how we think, how we interact, and how the past continues to shape the present.
In a recent column, S. Upendran addressed a question that has puzzled many English speakers: what is the difference between “hire” and “rent”? The two words, he explains, can both be used in connection with things. When you “hire” or “rent” something, you take possession of it temporarily for a certain fee. In both cases, a payment is involved. In contemporary usage, especially in American English, the two words are often used interchangeably. One might say, “We hired a car for the trip,” or “We rented a car for the trip.” Both convey the same meaning. The same applies to rooms: “Sumathi hired a room for three months” or “Sumathi rented a room for three months.”
However, there is a crucial distinction when it comes to people. “Hire” can be used with people, but “rent” cannot. When you hire someone, you buy their services for a fee. One can “rent a car” or “rent a room,” but one cannot “rent a person.” You can, however, “hire a cook” or “hire a cashier.” This distinction reflects a deeper understanding of the relationship between individuals and their services. A person is not a commodity to be rented; their labour is hired. Interestingly, one can even “hire oneself out,” as in “Mala hired herself out as a translator.” The distinction, while subtle, is important for precision in language.
From the practical distinction between hiring and renting, we move to a word that celebrates achievement: “kudos.” The word, often mispronounced, is properly said with the stress on the first syllable, rhyming with “Jude-oss.” It comes from the Greek word kudos, meaning “glory” or “fame.” The word was coined by students at Oxford and Cambridge Universities and has been used in literature since the 17th century. The poet John Dryden is credited with popularizing it. Today, “kudos” is used to express praise and admiration for a person’s achievements or accomplishments. One might say, “Rajnikanth enjoys all the kudos that goes with being a successful movie star,” or “The soldier received a lot of kudos from the high command for his brave deeds.” The word carries a sense of earned recognition, a tribute to excellence.
Perhaps the most fascinating linguistic journey in this column is the etymology of “shrink,” the slang term for a psychiatrist or psychologist. The term is a shortened form of “headshrinker.” To understand why, we must travel to the tribal cultures of South America, where certain medicine men were believed to have special powers. Among some tribes, it was a practice to shrink the heads of their enemies. When the head was dried, it appeared shrunk. Later, the skull was removed, making the head look even smaller. These medicine men were called “headshrinkers.” Over time, the term was applied, with a touch of dark humour, to psychiatrists. Mercifully, modern-day psychiatrists do not attempt to shrink our heads using the same techniques. Instead, they try their level best to “shrink” the illusions floating around inside our heads—the anxieties, the delusions, the tangled thoughts that cause distress. The slang term, born of cultural misunderstanding and dark humour, has become a common, almost affectionate, shorthand for a profession dedicated to mental healing.
Beyond the words themselves, there is also the matter of how we respond to common courtesies. What is the correct response to “thank you”? Is it “don’t mention it” or “you’re welcome”? Both, it turns out, are equally acceptable, but they reflect different linguistic traditions. “Don’t mention it” is a standard response in British English, along with “that’s all right” and “not at all.” “You’re welcome” is considered very American. Thanks to the spread of American English through film, television, and the internet, “you’re welcome” has become increasingly common in all varieties of English. The response we choose is not a matter of right or wrong, but of cultural context and personal style.
These linguistic explorations reveal something fundamental about language. It is not a static set of rules handed down from on high, but a dynamic, evolving system shaped by history, culture, and human interaction. The distinction between “hire” and “rent” reflects the way we categorize relationships. The word “kudos” carries within it the classical roots of Western education and the literary tradition of 17th-century England. The slang term “shrink” is a product of colonial encounters and cultural misunderstanding, transformed into a term of everyday use. Even the simple response to “thank you” reflects the global spread of American English.
In a world where language is often reduced to the transactional—the quick text, the emoji, the headline—taking time to understand these nuances is a small act of resistance. It is a reminder that words have histories, that meanings are layered, and that the way we speak carries the weight of centuries. The next time you hire a car, or receive kudos for a job well done, or visit a shrink, take a moment to consider the words you are using. They are not just tools; they are connections to a larger story. And in understanding that story, we understand ourselves a little better.
Questions and Answers
Q1: What is the key difference between “hire” and “rent” when it comes to people?
A1: While both “hire” and “rent” can be used for things (like a car or a room), “hire” can be used with people, but “rent” cannot. When you “hire” someone, you buy their services for a fee. You can “hire a cook” or “hire a cashier,” but you cannot “rent a person.” One can, however, “hire oneself out” as a translator.
Q2: What is the correct pronunciation of “kudos,” and what is its origin?
A2: “Kudos” is pronounced with the stress on the first syllable, rhyming with “Jude-oss.” It comes from the Greek word kudos, meaning “glory” or “fame.” It was coined by students at Oxford and Cambridge Universities and popularized by the poet John Dryden in the 17th century. It is used to express praise and admiration for achievements.
Q3: Why are psychiatrists called “shrinks”?
A3: “Shrink” is a shortened form of “headshrinker.” The term originates from tribal cultures in South America where certain medicine men would shrink the heads of their enemies as a ritual practice. Over time, the term was applied, with dark humour, to psychiatrists who “shrink” the illusions and anxieties in our minds.
Q4: What are the appropriate responses to “thank you” in British and American English?
A4: In British English, standard responses include “Don’t mention it,” “That’s all right,” and “Not at all.” In American English, “You’re welcome” is the standard. However, due to the global spread of American English, “you’re welcome” has become increasingly common in all varieties of English.
Q5: What broader point does the article make about the nature of language?
A5: The article argues that language is not a static set of rules, but a “living, breathing entity” that evolves with us. Words carry histories, reflect cultural interactions, and are shaped by human experience. Understanding the nuances of words helps us understand ourselves and the larger story of how we communicate.
