Pejoración
Pejoración refers to the process by which a word or phrase in a language undergoes a semantic shift toward a more negative or derogatory meaning over time. This linguistic phenomenon is a common aspect of language evolution, where the original connotation of a term gradually changes due to various social, cultural, or contextual influences.
The origins of pejoration can be traced to shifts in societal attitudes, changes in usage patterns, or
A well-documented example of pejoration is the English word *gay*, which originally meant "happy" or "carefree"
Pejoration contrasts with amelioration, where a word’s meaning becomes more positive over time. Both processes highlight