Today while my son was working on his social studies, he asked me why the words north and south come first in the compound words northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest. I actually had no idea, so I immediately did a little research. The results elicited an obvious duh from me. The words north, south, east, and west have deep etymological roots tracing back to Old English and earlier Proto-Germanic origins, with connections to broader Indo-European language families. But, why do north and south precede east and west?
The word north comes from the Old English norð, which comes from the Proto-Germanic nurtha-. Deeper roots for the word come from the Proto-Indo-European base ner- or nord-, meaning “left” or “below,” a reference to the direction being on the left-hand side when facing east towards the rising sun. Cognates of north appear in other Germanic languages including the Old High German nord, Old Norse norðr, and Gothic nord, all with similar meanings. The term reflects early spatial orientation in which directions were named relative to natural phenomena and the human body.
The word south comes from the Old English sūþ, which traces back to Proto-Germanic suntha-, which likely originates from the Proto-Indo-European root sun- or swe-, relating to the sun and the warmth provided. In the Northern Hemisphere, south is associated with the strongest position of the sun at midday, which likely influenced the name. Cognates of south are found across the Germanic languages including the Old Norse suðr, Old High German sund or sud, and Gothic sunþs. The word emphasizes the cultural and environmental importance of solar direction in early language development.
The word east comes from the Old English ēast, which comes from the Proto-Germanic austra- and the Proto-Indo-European root aus-, meaning “to shine” or “dawn.” This etymology reflects the position of the east as the direction of the rising sun, a universal point of orientation for ancient societies. Similar words for east exist in other Germanic languages including the Old High German ost, Old Norse austr, and Gothic austra. The term underscores the significance of natural light and daily cycles in shaping how early peoples named the environment.
The word west comes from the Old English west, which comes from Proto-Germanic westa-, which ultimately cones from the Proto-Indo-European root wes- or wesper-, meaning “evening” or “dusk,” referring to the direction in which the sun sets. Cognates for west include the Old High German west, Old Norse vestr, and Gothic wests. Like east, the name for west reflects how early humans used the movement of the sun across the sky to define directions, creating a natural linguistic connection between time and place.
The ordering of north and south before east or west in the compound words northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest reflects the way cardinal directions are combined to describe intermediate points on a compass. North and south are considered primary cardinal directions because of their alignment with the axis of planet Earth, defining the poles. In contrast, east and west are secondary directions, determined by the rotation of the Earth and lying perpendicular to the axis. This distinction establishes a hierarchy among the directions, with the primary directions taking precedence.
When two directions are combined into a compound word, the primary direction—north or south—comes first, followed by the secondary direction—east or west. This linguistic convention prioritizes the foundational nature of the primary directions and provides a standardized method for naming intermediate points. The consistency of this naming system ensures clear and efficient communication in navigation, cartography, and geography. As a result, north and south precede east and west in compound terms, reflecting their central role in orienting location relative to the structure of the Earth.
So, the next time you encounter compound directions like northeast or southeast, remember that their ordering is no accident. The precedence of north and south reflects their primary importance in relation to the axis of the Earth, while east and west follow as secondary markers of orientation. This simple yet logical naming convention highlights how deeply intertwined language is with our understanding of the natural world. From the path of the sun to the structure of the Earth, even the names of directions reveal fascinating layers of history and meaning. Exploring the origins of words like north, south, east, and west is a reminder of the ways in which language evolves alongside human experience and knowledge. These ancient terms not only helped early societies navigate their surroundings but also provide modern speakers with a glimpse into ancient perceptions of the world.
