When the word cancel was first introduced into the English language in the late fourteenth century, it had a literal meaning of “cross out with a line.” It wasn’t until the mid-1600s that it took on the figurative definition of “nullify.” Its origins can be traced back through Anglo-Norman and French to the Latin word cancellus, which means “lattice” or a grid of lines. This Latin word is derived from the root carcer, meaning “enclosed space,” as seen in the word incaration. Ultimately, carcer can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European reconstruction kar-kro, which has a meaning of “circular” or “enclosure.” It’s fascinating to see how the word cancel continues to evolve today, especially in reference to the cancellation of TV shows and professional contracts when they are exposed for misconduct.
