English old and new, for writers.

"Shibboleth" is an old Hebrew word that holds no bad connotations but it could easily have been Cthulhu or one of Lovecraft's many monsters. The name does sound intimidating, many Hebrew words do, to those not accustomed to them (including most of the angelic names). But then I thought about it and it is nothing to do with Hebrew words, rather it is just to do with old words. The "Scot's" Highland cow will be familiar to most. A hairy but cuddly looking beast despite the large horns. Then think of it's earlier name, The "Auroch" which makes it sound almost demonic. I ran through many original words and modern adaptions in my thought process and realised that it is neither form or word that makes the difference but the cadence of the language. English has become more subtle with soft vowels and input from many other tones/languages (particularly French and Italian) which have moderated it and so when you hear original language it is jarring and so (in a way) otherworldly. Something to take into account when writing ghostly tales or Horror stories.