Why Do We Say “Wax and Wane”?

Have you ever heard someone say that something is “waxing and waning”? This expression is often used to describe something that is gradually increasing and decreasing in intensity or size, such as the moon or the tides. But where does this phrase come from, and why do we use it?

The phrase “wax and wane” actually dates back to Middle English, and it comes from the Old English word “weaxan,” meaning “to grow” or “to increase,” and “wanian,” meaning “to decrease” or “to diminish.” These words were often used to describe the changing phases of the moon, which appears to grow larger and then smaller over the course of a month.

In fact, the origins of “wax and wane” are closely tied to the study of astronomy. In ancient times, people believed that the moon was a powerful and mysterious force that influenced many aspects of daily life. Farmers consulted the phases of the moon to determine the best time to plant crops, while sailors used the tides, which are influenced by the moon, to navigate the seas.

Over time, the phrase “wax and wane” became a common metaphor for the ebb and flow of all sorts of things in life. From the tides to emotions to political power dynamics, we use this expression to describe anything that grows and then recedes.

Interestingly, the phrase “wax and wane” is not the only astronomical term that has become part of our everyday vocabulary. For example, we use the word “orbit” to describe someone’s path through life, the phrase “shoot for the stars” to describe setting ambitious goals, and the expression “falling star” to describe someone who experiences a sudden downfall.

In conclusion, the phrase “wax and wane” comes from Old English words meaning “to grow” and “to decrease,” and it dates back to a time when people closely observed the cycles of the moon and the tides. Over time, the phrase has come to be used as a metaphor for many other aspects of life, and it remains a popular way to describe the ebb and flow of things in our daily lives.

Sources

• Merriam-Webster
• Oxford English Dictionary
• The Free Dictionary

Why Do We Say “Wax and Wane”? Answers to the Most Frequently Asked Questions

If you’ve ever heard the expression “wax and wane,” you might be wondering what it means, how it originated, and why we continue to use it today. Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about this intriguing phrase.

What does “wax and wane” mean?

When someone uses the expression “wax and wane,” they are usually referring to something that increases and decreases in size or intensity over time, like the phases of the moon, tides, or the strength of an illness.

What is the origin of the phrase?

The origins of the phrase “wax and wane” can be traced back to the 14th century, when the words “waxen” (meaning “to grow” or “to become larger”) and “wanen” (meaning “to decrease” or “to become smaller”) were commonly used in Middle English. Over time, the two words were combined to form the familiar phrase “wax and wane.”

Is “wax and wane” still used today?

Yes, “wax and wane” is still commonly used today, although it is perhaps not quite as widespread as it was in the past. It is often used metaphorically to describe anything that fluctuates or changes over time, such as the mood of a person, the popularity of a trend, or the performance of a company.

What are some examples of “wax and wane” in popular culture?

The phrase “wax and wane” has been used in many different ways in popular culture, from music to movies to literature. For example, the song “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd includes the lyrics “And then one day you find ten years have got behind you / No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun,” which could be seen as a reference to the way that time seems to wax and wane without our control. In “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the character Nick Carraway describes the way that his feelings about the main character Jay Gatsby wax and wane over time. And in the movie “Fight Club,” the character Tyler Durden tells the narrator that “Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy shit we don’t need. We’re the middle children of history, man. No purpose or place. We have no Great War. No Great Depression. Our Great War’s a spiritual war.” This quote could be seen as a commentary on the way that society’s values and motivations wax and wane over time.

Are there other phrases or expressions that mean the same thing as “wax and wane”?

Yes, there are many other phrases and expressions that mean the same thing as “wax and wane,” including:

– Ebb and flow
– Rise and fall
– Fluctuate
– Oscillate
– Vary
– Change

How can I use “wax and wane” in my own writing or conversations?

If you want to use the phrase “wax and wane” in your own writing or conversations, there are many different ways to do so. Here are some examples:

– “The popularity of the band seemed to wax and wane over the years.”
– “My enthusiasm for the project has been waxing and waning lately.”
– “The stock market has been experiencing a lot of waxing and waning in recent months.”
– “I always feel like my energy levels are waxing and waning throughout the day.”

What are some interesting facts about the phrase “wax and wane”?

– The phrase “wax and wane” is often associated with the cycles of the moon, which go through phases of growth (waxing) and decline (waning).
– The verb “to wax” is related to the Old English word “weaxan,” which means “to grow” or “to increase.”
– The verb “to wane” is related to the Old English word “wanian,” which means “to decrease” or “to diminish.”
– The phrase “wax and wane” is sometimes used in scientific contexts, such as in describing the way that the concentration of a chemical in a system can fluctuate over time.

Why Do We Say “Wax and Wane”?

Have you ever heard someone say, “that’s just the way it waxes and wanes”? Most people know that the phrase refers to a pattern of growth and decline, but why do we use the specific words “wax” and “wane”? In this blog post, we will explore the origins and meanings of this popular phrase.

The Definition of “Wax and Wane”

Before we dive into the history of the phrase, let’s first define what “wax and wane” means. The phrase refers to a recurring pattern of growth and decline, often used in reference to the moon’s phases. Specifically, when the moon is getting bigger, we say it is “waxing”, and when it is getting smaller, we say it is “waning”. So, when we say that something is “waxing and waning”, we mean that it is fluctuating in a cyclical pattern.

The History of “Wax and Wane”

The phrase “wax and wane” has been in use for centuries. It is believed to have originated from the Old English words weaxan and wanian, which mean “to grow” and “to diminish” respectively. In the Middle Ages, people used the phrase to describe the cyclical patterns of the moon, which was an important object of study for astronomers and astrologers.

During this time, many languages developed words and phrases to describe the moon’s phases. For example, the Latin word for “wax” is cresco, which is the root of the word “crescent”, and the Greek word for “wane” is meionoun, which is the root of the word “meiosis”. The Arabic language has a similar phrase, “Sharaba wa Qamara”, which means “to drink and become full” and refers to the drinking of water, which causes a person’s stomach to wax and wane.

The Use of “Wax and Wane” in Literature

The phrase “wax and wane” has been used in literature for centuries. It is often used as a metaphor to describe the ups and downs of life, or the cyclical nature of history. One famous example is the poem “To His Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marvell, in which he writes:

“But at my back I always hear
Time’s winged chariot hurrying near;
And yonder all before us lie
Deserts of vast eternity.
Thy beauty shall no more be found;
Nor, in thy marble vault, shall sound
My echoing song: then worms shall try
That long preserved virginity,
And your quaint honour turn to dust,

And into ashes all my lust:
The grave’s a fine and private place,
But none, I think, do there embrace.
Now therefore, while the youthful hue
Sits on thy skin like morning dew,
And while thy willing soul transpires
At every pore with instant fires,
Now let us sport us while we may,
And now, like amorous birds of prey,
Rather at once our time devour
Than languish in his slow-chapped power.
Let us roll all our strength and all

Our sweetness up into one ball,
And tear our pleasures with rough strife
Through the iron gates of life:
Thus, though we cannot make our sun
Stand still, yet we will make him run.”

In this poem, Marvell uses the phrase “wax and wane” to describe the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. The poem is a reminder to readers to appreciate the present moment and make the most of their time on earth.

The Symbolic Meaning of Waxing and Waning

Beyond its literal meaning, the phrase “wax and wane” also carries a symbolic significance. The cyclical pattern of growth and decline can be seen as a representation of the natural cycles of life. In many cultures, the moon is seen as a symbol of femininity and fertility, representing the potential for growth and new beginnings. As the moon waxes, it represents the potential for growth and new beginnings, while as it wanes, it represents the need for release and letting go.

The cyclical patterns of waxing and waning can also be seen in the tides, which rise and fall in a regular pattern. In this way, “wax and wane” can be seen as a metaphor for the ebb and flow of life, with its highs and lows, successes and failures.

Conclusion

The phrase “wax and wane” has been in use for centuries and has its roots in the Old English language. It refers to a cyclical pattern of growth and decline, often used as a metaphor to describe the ups and downs of life. As a symbol, it represents the natural cycles of growth and release, and can be seen in the moon’s phases and the tides. Whether used in literature, poetry, or everyday conversation, “wax and wane” is a powerful reminder of the cyclical nature of life and the need to appreciate every moment.