1960: doctor (Noun and Verb) Apr 27, 2020

In these trying times, it is important to trust medical professionals. That said, there has always been a distrust of doctors, hence where the verb 'to doctor', as in 'to alter' comes from. 'Doctor' comes from Latin, but the verbal form is attested at least from 1509 meaning "to give someone a doctoral degree". This was originally not a negative idea at all, but by the 18th century it eventually took on the meaning of "change; disguise; forge".

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