Definition of the word idiom

The origin of the word "idiom" can be traced back to the Latin "idioma," which means "language" or "dialect." However, in the 16th century, English writers began using the term more specifically to refer to phrases and expressions that could not be understood by analyzing their components, as they were figurative or senseless in a literal sense. This concept of "idiomatic expressions" became more prevalent in English literature during the 18th century, as writers like Samuel Johnson and Dr. Johnson added hundreds of examples to dictionaries and grammar books. From there, the term "idiom" became firmly established in the English language, describing a group of words that have a meaning differing from the literal interpretation of each word. Today, the concept of idioms continues to fascinate and challenge language learners worldwide, as they work to master the nuances of figurative language in English and other languages.