Investment
Building something or extracting value β both use the same word.
How We Say It
inΒ·vestΒ·mΙnt
Where It Comes From
Medieval Latin investire β to clothe, to surround. From in- + vestire β to dress. Originally meant to clothe someone in the robes of an office β to invest with authority. The financial sense developed from the idea of committing resources to a purpose.
How It's Been Used
Government spending on education, healthcare, and infrastructure is called 'investment' by supporters and 'spending' by critics β same allocation, opposite framings. The word launders expenditure by implying return. 'Invest in your future' is used to sell everything from college tuition to lottery tickets.