Anger Words: Ire

n. Anger; wrath. ire. (n.d.). The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Retrieved August 06, 2009, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ire

c.1300, from Old French ire (11c.), from Latin ira "anger, wrath, rage," from Proto-Indo-European base *eis-, forming various words denoting "passion" such as the Greek hieros "filled with the divine, holy," oistros "gadfly," originally "thing causing madness;" Sanskrit. esati "drives on," yasati "boils). ire. (n.d.). Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved August 06, 2009, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ire

"Ire" seems like such a 19th Century word, I cannot think of when the last time I heard someone use it in conversation, or even a speech. And who cares about Greek, Latin or Sanskrit?!?

The histories of words help us map how human beings think about experiences. This can help us better understand what a word or an experience means at a deep level.

"Ire" comes to English from Old French in the 11th Century, just as the Norman French invaded and conquered Britain in 1066. While plenty of other Old French words took their time finding a home in the English vocabulary, "Ire" took root immediately. Here is a question worthy of contemplation: "Why was the invaders' word for anger so quickly assimilated into the language?" (Feel free to speculate in the comments section)

We trace the word back to the Latin "ira" where it meant pretty much what it means now. And then the leap gets made back to a root language for much of the Western World, several thousand years ago. Look at all the related words: "filled with the divine," "gadfly," "thing causing madness," "drives on," and "boils."

"Gadfly:" a gadfly pesters and torments, and generally dodges all attempts to drive it away or smash it. That angry thought about a person or situation, the one you keep dismissing, just seems to keep coming back. The more you try not to think of it, the more you desire to think of it. And woe unto you when you focus on it — your tension levels climb, your blood pressure elevates, and in the midst of your favorite revenge fantasy you're killing yourself. This "gadfly" keeps coming back until you rid yourself of the judgments that give birth to the resentment and anger that haunt you. Using the ABCD process will set you free from this torment.

"Drives on:" How many times have you had a situation in hand, perhaps at the verge of resolution, but your anger drove you on, pushing too far, creating havoc and recriminations? Next time, take a time-out or cool-down period before you begin to try to fix things. Break off for more time-out as needed. This time away from the problem can stop anger and resentment from "driving on," driving you off an emotional cliff.

"Boils:" Sorta speaks for itself. When your anger boils, disengage immediately. Remember, to prevent boiling over, it's usually best to start with removing the heat! Take a time-out. Talk yourself down, practice self-soothing. Use the Anger Pyramid and/or the ABCD method. Don't boil over.

"Thing causing madness:" Yeah. Nothing like going insane with rage. Think of the Incredible Hulk or a Berserker. When rage overcomes you, your brain chemistry is radically altered — much like the effects of methamphetamine — and you are NOT in your right mind. You will do things that you long regret. The first solution to this madness is to STOP before you get there. Once you get there, take a deep and cleansing breath or three. Say nothing. Take a time-out. Walk or practice other self-soothing activities. Gradually normal sanity will return and you can practice more powerful anger management skills.

"Filled with the Divine:" When you are absolutely right and have the right to be angry, you are in the worst danger of your life. In this state of mind "god" is on your side, you may perhaps be his instrument of wrath. This is the worst madness of them all, because it tells you you are doing the right thing, that you are justified. Even when mad with rage, there is a nagging thought that you ought not to be so activated. But when you're "filled with the divine" all the brakes are off. The only way to avoid this carte blanche is to repeat the mantra "I am never justified in persisting in my anger." Take the time to work the ABCD process, the Angery Pyramid, take the time to self-soothe, to meditate or to pray. Do not continue to justify to yourself why this time your anger is "right." Even if the other party is 100% wrong (generally not the case), your anger will never make you 100% right, but it will make you 100% miserable.

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anger words, ire, etymology, commentary