The nouns entomology and etymology are easily confused because of their similarity in sound. While they both denote areas of study, their focuses are quite different.
Etymology
Etymology is the study of the origins and development of words. The word comes via Latin from the Greek etumon, meaning true sense of the word, so etymology essentially means the study of the true sense of the word. By extension, it’s sometimes used to mean the origins of a word. Writers occasionally misuse it in place of entymology—for example:
According to Jeffrey Hahn, associate professor of etymology, and Mark Ascerno, professor of etymology, there are ways to prevent the insects from entering your home … [Yankton Press & Dakotan]
And these are examples of etymology used correctly:
“Indian summer” is of American etymology and best describes the US climate. [Irish Times]
The etymology of the Glaswegian word “bevvy” is not difficult to unravel. [The Guardian]
Entomology
Entomology is the study of insects. If it helps, think of the word as antomology, but with an e instead of an a.
It’s not hard to find examples of entomology used in place of etymology—for example:
The use of the letter Y to replace I in order to obfuscate the entomology of the word recalls the retrofitted ultrafeminist “womyn.” [Miconian]
But most writers get it right. These do:
Lately, the entomologist has been noticing the pests everywhere—even on the small species of elm growing in front of a Columbia coffee shop. [Baltimore Sun]
Baylor has entomology classes for studying insects. [Baylor Lariat]
