The Grammar Pedant: jealousy vs. envy

(Ye Olde Plague of 2020 is still going on, but I'm tired of writing about it -- especially since hearing an envoy from the WHO say that COVID-19 is likely to be a "constant threat" until such time as a vaccine is found, which is not likely to happen within a year. So to avoid gorily detailed thoughts of wrist slitting in the face of interminable social distancing measures, let's turn to lighter fare, shall we?)

REETINGS, PEDANTS. Let's talk for a minute about the important differences between two words that are often, but incorrectly, used as synonyms:

JEALOUSY and ENVY.

What do these two words really mean? How are they similar, and how are they different?

Well, first of all, both words have to do with an imbalance, real or perceived, in states of being between two or more people. Because of this, both words are sometimes (wrongly) used as synonymous with the rare-outside-Bible-study word "covetousness" (or the even older Latin word "cupidity"). Both these words indicate a strong desire for something, to the point of doing terrible things to achieve or possess it (which is probably why one of the Ten Commandments specifies covetousness as a thou-shalt-not activity). And both words have to do with enmity -- the act of declaring someone your enemy, or feeling a bitter hatred directed at another person or group.

But there are some subtle yet important differences between the two words. Jealousy (a word which began its life describing a kind of sexual possessiveness and the associated distrust that often comes with it) is fear that one will lose a treasured thing in one's possession -- youth, beauty, popularity, wealth, love. For instance, the wicked Queen in Snow White is jealous of the young princess's innocent beauty, fearing that she will soon lose the title of "fairest in the land." Envy, on the other hand, means hatred or malice toward another -- specifically because that other has something we intensely desire. You could say (and I will, because this is my blog) that some people look at "the 1%," the wealthiest people in the world, with a sharp sense of envy -- either they want the money and power that this group enjoys, or they simply want to destroy that money and power so no one has it.

While the two words are similar, there are also overtones of polar opposition in their definitions; one could say that jealousy is a feeling inspired by fear (of loss), while envy is a feeling inspired by desire (to possess or destroy).

Put simply: if someone else has something and you want it, you're envious. If you have something and you don't want anyone to take it away, you're jealous.

So the next time you're tempted to call someone jealous when that person is really envious, take a minute to reconsider your word choice. Words mean things!

That's all for now, and remember: the English language is a terrible thing to waste.