congratulations

the intention of this post was to make the argument that we are incorrectly using congratulations in the sense that we should not congratulate people that win prizes because they haven't done anything. but i'm realizing i'm wrong - in fact it seems like we shouldn't be congratulating people that do work to get something.

etymology of 'congratulations'

the oldest use is, 1438, in latin congratulationem which means "to wish joy" from com- "together" + gratulari "give thanks, show joy," from gratus "agreeable" so it began by being something along the lines of 'i wish good luck to you' So here is a quote at the opening of a new castle pavilion. "It is the king's most sweet pleasure and affection to congratulate the princess at her pavilion. --Shak."

the usage changed in 1540 when it became militarized (congrātulātus) and it meant "to salute". that is not that weird tho because apparently a 'salute' is also a wishing of goodwill. It comes from salute in Italian which means 'i wish you good health' and was "used after a person has sneezed or after a toast". But that is also the initial function of the salute in the military with is to wish good will upon the force and the general. but it did change into a statement of respect. It's also apparently tied to 'salutation'.