The other day we were explaining the meaning of Easter to our daughter-in-law and her family in Japan. The story of death and resurrection is germane to the Easter celebrations. The lunar calendar is germane to the dating of the festival. The symbols we often associate with Easter (eggs, bunnies, butterflies, lilies, etc.) are germane to explain the story of Jesus and the meaning of the events remembered by Christians on Easter weekend.
Germane means being at once related and appropriate or fitting. When discussing the views of the political parties in the current election in Canada it is best to omit details that are not germane to the conversation and could lead to emotional retorts.
Germane comes from Middle English via the Anglo-French word germain, meaning having the same parents. The Latin root word is germanus, meaning genuine or of the same parents. It was used to describe people with the identical fathers and mothers, in other words, siblings.
William Shakespeare's use of germane modified the meaning to embody anything connected or relevant to a particular subject. In the play Hamlet Act 5 Scene 2, Hamlet says to Osric, “The phrase would be more germane to the matter if we could carry cannon by our sides.” This quote shows how Shakespeare (1564-1616) used the word to mean appropriate to the given situation, fittingly related.
Relevant, material, pertinent, apposite, applicable, apropos, and germane all refer to things relating to or bearing upon the matter at hand.
Relevant implies a traceable, significant, logical connection. The lawyer found the information given to her by the plaintiff’s mother to be relevant to the case.
Material suggests a close relationship that cannot be dispensed with without serious alternation of the incident. The reasons for the trip were material to the investigation of the injury.
Pertinent stressed a clear and decisive relevance. The speaker made a pertinent observation when sharing the point of the demonstration.
Apposite suggests a suitable implication. The editor of the paper suggested an apposite quotation to the definition offered in the article.
Applicable means the fitness of bringing a general rule or principles to bear upon a particular case. Applying for Canada Pension Plan payments is not applicable for residents of Quebec.
Apropos infers being both significant and opportune. The quip offered by the opponent was apropos in the given context.
Germane suggests a fitness for or appropriateness to the situation or occasion. During the debate the point the opposition leader made was not germane to the motion.
Robert's Rules of Order lay down important procedures to follow in meetings. However, there are some that are not germane to small board meetings as opposed to large general assemblies.
The doctor told him that his childhood medical condition and was not necessarily germane to the melanoma currently affecting him.
Sometimes I find that texting with someone over a number of days concerning a certain issue means that initial comments are often no longer germane to the subject at hand.
One can observe Easter in a secular manner but the story of Jesus is still germane to the point of it all.
John would like to know if anyone has a sincere interest in a relevant word that he could possibly research for an upcoming column. If so, please send your requests to [email protected] . Words will be selected according to relevance and research criteria. We cannot confirm that all words will be used.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
