It’s very curious how the meaning of the word has changed. I think many many people today would agree with your friend — I certainly would have, a couple of years ago, when I was Zen and the idea of worship was completely foreign to me. And yet the standard dictionary definitions say nothing about grovelling or submission — only reverence, honor, and love. I wonder if the word can still be salvaged?…
]]>As for “ship”, the history and phonosemantics are complex enough to deserve its own entry…
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