Definition of the word fig

The word "fig" has its roots in ancient languages, particularly the Latin and Greek words for the fruit. In Latin, the word for fig was "ficus," which comes from the Proto-Indo-European "piks," meaning "fig tree." This root is also found in other words for figs in related languages, such as "fīgō" in Old French and "feijoa" in Portuguese. In Greek, the word for fig was "wigke," which comes from the Pre-Greek "wikya," meaning "fig." This root is also found in the Persian word for fig, "higg," and the Chinese word, "xi Greek," with a phonological transformation. The earliest recorded use of the English word "fig" comes from the late 13th century, when it was spelled "figge" and meant both the fruit and the tree. Over time, the spelling evolved to "figg" and then "figge," before settling on the current "fig." Interestingly, the word "fig" was also used as a slang term for "testicles" in Middle English, likely due to the similar shape of the fruit. This usage continued into the 18th century, although it is now obsolete. In modern English, the word "fig" is commonly used to refer to the fruit, as well as to make expressions like "it's all Greek to me" and "literally, figure it out."