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Etymology corner: Retirement – Why all retirees should be jubilant!

Why do we say ‘to retire’?
How is ‘retirement’ treated in other languages?
What are the connotations of ‘retirement’?


Retirement is an interesting word.

Unsurprisingly, retirement it is one of the words which the English language appropriated from the French, around the 16th century. It was originally used in the military sense; i.e. “to withdraw to a place of safety or seclusion” (from the French ‘re’ (back) and ‘tirer’ (to draw)).

And, in the same vein, the word ‘pension’ also came into usage around the 16th century, again in the military sense meaning “a regular sum paid to maintain allegiance” (originally from the Latin ‘pendere’ = to pay).

‘Retirement’ in the sense of ceasing to work, began to be used around the 18th century in the sense of to “withdraw from one’s position or occupation or from active working life” (the modern 21st century definition).

So, the two words now most often used to describe stopping work (retirement and pensioner – both originally military terms) have rather negative connotations, implying a tax or burden on society, of people who are of less use, who don’t contribute.

A worldwide view of retirement

Q. Is this British view reflected of ‘retirement’ reflected across Europe? Just take a look at the different words used for ‘retirement’ and judge for yourself:

• Pensionering (Danish & Swedish)
• Pensioen (Dutch)
• Retraite (French)
• La Pensione (Italian)
• Pensionare (Romanian)

Almost without exception, the words used are derivations of ‘retirement’ or ‘pension’; i.e. negative ones.

The one notable exception is Spanish where they use the quite delightful word ‘jubilación’, which is what perhaps we should be searching for in retirement – jubilation!

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  1. […] Mexican people call retired persons “Jubilants.” I was so busy I never thought much about retirement, but suddenly, due to COVID, here it […]

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