the other day in class we looked up the etymology of the word 'happy'. the root word hap- originally meant chance, good fortune, or an unforeseen occurance.

today I decided to look up 'sad'. How ironic to find out it originates from the root word sated, meaning enough or sufficient.

How ironic pejorations and ameliorations can be. I remember learning that nice used to mean fool, and that naughty was once equivalent to evil. They were my favourite examples of the evolution of word meanings. I used to joke with a friend that it was possible to insult someone without their knowledge by calling them nice.

but sadness and satisfaction? The contrasting words bring up a strange thought: do we in a sense, sometimes seek sadness and misery? do we find satisfaction in feeling down? are we in turn, pleased that we are miserable creatures, do we take pleasure in moping about our pain and depressed states? it is a compelling question, especially since we so rarely try to escape from the ditches we dig for ourselves.

How far do we dig before the air gets too thick to breathe? Before we choke on our own breath?