A remarkable fact is that many slang words have a classical origin. For example, the word "mill," a vulgarism for a fight, is traceable to the Greek word "hamilla," which means a combat.

The most commonly studied areas in historical linguistics are: Etymology: Studying the reconstruction and origin of words. Analysis and description of multiple speech communities. Tracing (as far as ...

In addition, many of the words from these and other early languages are only assumed to have existed. In the study of the origin of words (etymology) these "presumed words" are generally marked ...