MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why do we say both “gift” and “present” during the holidays?

Young woman holding stack of gift boxes over blue studio background. Unrecognizable millennial lady with pile of Christmas or New Year presents. Shopping for winter holidays concept

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why do we say both “gift” and “present” during the holidays?

Is there a difference whether we give a “gift” or a “present?” That is today’s Mundane Mystery.

Th two words came from different language families. Gift comes from the old German root word for “to give.” It refers to the act of giving but also to the thing being given. The term “present” was from the French which originally meant “to present.” A present is the thing being presented to someone.

But in the end both words essentially mean the exact same thing so you can say gift or present.

Happy holidays!

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