errand: [OE] Despite the passing similarity, errand has no etymological connection with err and error. It comes from a prehistoric Germanic *?rundjam, which meant ‘message’ – a sense which in fact survived in English until as recently as the 18th century (Miles Coverdale, for example, in his 1535 translation of 1 Samuel 11:5 wrote ‘So they told him the errand of the men of Jabesh’ – where the Authorized Version has ‘tidings’).
The main modern meaning, ‘task one goes to perform’, developed in the 13th century (in American English it has latterly gained specific connotations of ‘shopping’). The source of the Germanic word is not known, but it is no doubt related to Swedish ?rende and Danish ?rinde ‘errand, message, business’.
errand (n.)
Old English ?rende "message, mission; answer, news, tidings," a common Germanic word (cognates: Old Saxon arundi, Old Norse erendi, Danish ?rende, Swedish ?rende, Old Frisian erende, Old High German arunti "message"), which is of uncertain origin. Compare Old English ar "messenger, servant, herald." Originally of important missions; meaning "short, simple journey and task" is attested by 1640s. Related: Errands. In Old English, ?rendgast was "angel," ?rendraca was "ambassador."
雙語例句
1. She went off on some errand.
她辦事去了。
來自柯林斯例句
2. He sent me on a fool's errand .
他派我去干白費力的事。
來自《權威詞典》
3. Unable to get about, she sent Joy on one errand after another.