Massage and message are two words that are very close in spelling and pronunciation, but have different meanings. We will examine the definitions of the words massage and message, where these words came from and some examples of their use in sentences.
Massage is the act of kneading muscles or manipulating muscles in order to relieve pain or tension. Massage is also used figuratively to mean to manipulate facts and figure in order to come up with the conclusion one is looking for. Massage may be used as a noun or a transitive verb, which is a verb that takes an object. Related words are massages, massaged, massaging, masseuse, masseur. Massage is derived from the French verb masser. Interestingly, the words masseuse and masseur are loan words from the French, directly borrowed from that language. A masseuse is a woman who gives professional massages, and a masseur is a man who gives professional massages.
A message is a verbal, written or electronic communication left for someone. Message may also mean a profound idea or sentiment conveyed through media or literature. The word message may be used as a noun or a transitive verb, related words are messages, messaged, messaging, messenger. The word message is derived from the Latin word missus which means sending away, throwing, dispatching.
Examples
Miami Beach police have charged three women in a human trafficking investigation that shut down four massage parlors Friday evening, authorities said. (The Miami Herald)
The report also includes observations from college professors and other “experts” who massage the numbers while offering guidance on “What should families consider when choosing a place to set down roots,” and “How might Trump administration policies related to child care and paid family leave affect child and family well-being?” (The Charleston Post and Courier)
Wieking, a retired professor emeritus of industrial and engineering technology at Central Washington University, is displaying a message “Save A Life — Look Twice, Motorcycles Are Everywhere” on the back window of his SUV so other drivers can see it clearly. (The Daily Record News)