January, Janus And ‘Two-faced’ Words

Be Word Wise

It’s January and, in case you didn’t know, the month is named after the Roman god, Janus.

It’s appropriate, really, because he was the god of doorways, beginnings, and the rising (and setting) of the sun. And January is the beginning – the ‘entrance’ – into a new year.

His name also gives us the word ‘janitor’, originally meaning the guardian at the entrance to a building.

Janus is usually depicted as having two faces, looking in opposite directions.

Because of this duality, a particular group of words – in English and other languages – which are spelled the same and appear to have contradictory meanings, are known as Janus words.

Their official label is ‘contronyms’ – words with apparently contrary meanings.