Meaning and usage of the word big in English

The word "big" has a fascinating etymology. It originated in Old English as "bīg", which was derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*būgiz", meaning "boiled" or "swelled". This is because the ancient Germans would use the word to describe something that was swollen or inflated, such as a large animal or a distended body part. Over time, the meaning of the word "big" expanded to include larger-than-usual sizes or quantities. In Middle English (circa 1100-1500 CE), the word took on a more general sense of importance or size, and it has retained this sense to this day. Despite its origins being rooted in bodily swelling, the word "big" now carries a wide range of meanings, from describing physical size to expressing excitement or enthusiasm ("What a big day that was!").