'Like'
Etymology:
'Like' originally came from the Old English verb: lician, which meant "to please, be sufficient," similarly to the Proto-Germanic word, "likjan" where the "lik" meant: "body, form; same." The base meaning was "to be like". 'Like' and 'dislike' originally wasn't structured out the way we do today, originally it was: "It likes me" where as we now say "I like it". Our modern structure started to begin in late 14c.
Semantic Development:
Later on the verb broadened to become an adjective in Middle English, meaning "having the same characteristics or qualities". It could have been taken from the Proto-Germanic word: "galika" which meant "having the same form".
In 1200c 'like' became a noun meaning "a similar thing" to something else. Also at this time 'like' was used as a preposition with nouns and pronouns, for example: "It was only five o' clock, but it seemed like the middle of the night."
In modern day 'like' has become a discourse marker in, most commonly, teenager's speech. It can be used along with 'um', 'uh' and 'erm'. For example: "I, like, don't know where I'm going."
It is also used in modern day (although originally first used in 1778 then not used as much until much later) as part of speech that is from a particular dialect, EG: "I didn't do anything, like."
With the introduction of technology there has been the increase in social networks, including Facebook. As part of Facebook you can 'like' something, by clicking on the 'like' button. This then changes the 'like' from a semantic verb to a dynamic verb. An example would be "I saw you liked my Facebook status."
I think that with the increase of social network sites like Facebook, Twitter and Youtube there will always be new developments in language and new meanings to words. I think what could also be a factor in changing language recently is the media EG: newspaper articles, which frequently create blend words of celebrity couples. Along with this there's the ever growing film industry and new generations which create new meanings to words.
Examples:
It can be used as a synonym to 'enjoy' and 'be pleased by'.
'I like sweets' and 'I like skiing in winter.'
It can mean 'to prefer' and 'maintain' something as a regular habit or activity.
'We like to go to the dentist every six months.' and 'I like going to the gym every week.'
Another use of it is 'To come near' and 'to avoid with difficulty'
"He liked to have been too late."
It also means to find someone attractive, for example:
"I really like ... but don't know how to tell him."
Bibliography:
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=like
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/learnit/learnitv156.shtml
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/like#Etymology_1
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Like
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