Fall vs. Autumn

By Parker Compton

Happy fall! Or, is it autumn? Wait…what’s the difference between fall and autumn, anyways?

Long before fall or autumn existed, this time of year was known as harvest. Harvest comes from the Old English hærfest and is the earliest name of the season. However, having the same name as the process of gathering confused things.

Autumn appeared in the 1300s and quickly replaced the name harvest. Almost 300 years later, as poets were inspired by the changes this time of year brought, the phrase “the fall of the leaves” rapidly grew in popularity and became associated with the season. This phrase was soon shortened to—you guessed it—fall!

Both fall and autumn originated in the UK, so why do Americans prefer fall while our friends in Great Britain favor autumn?

When America declared its independence from Great Britain, the English spoken in the two countries diverged to shape their separate national identities. While the term autumn was always more popular than fall in the UK, the reasoning behind why the US decided to claim fall is unclear. Some believe that Americans prefer fall because of daylight-savings time: “spring forward, fall back.” Others think fall feels simple and honest while autumn is too formal.

But one thing’s for sure; no matter what you call this time of year, the stunning variety of reds and oranges in the scenery, unpredictable weather, and anything starting with “pumpkin spice” all hold a special place in our hearts. No matter what you call this time of year, we are all blessed to experience this beautiful season with the people we love. No matter what you call it, this season always promises new beginnings and cherished memories. So, happy fall, y’all! Happy autumn! And happy hærfest!