Entertaiment is a fun, entertaining way to get involved with your community!
This article was originally published in the fall 2011 issue of T E News.
The word entertaiment derives from the Latin term inter-tenere, meaning to hold inside, or more broadly, to support or maintain. It is related to the root word ten, which means “stretch” (to stretch), and it is part of a common suffix in English that was added to verb stems to form nouns of action (such as amazement, betterment, merriment).
Modern usage of the term entertaintment usually refers to activities that amuse or gratify people. This includes things such as music, dancing, sports, and games, and visual arts, such as visiting art galleries and museums or creating or appreciating art. Psychologists have also described entertainment as a way of alleviating boredom or burdensome situations, and Vorderer (2001) describes it as an activity that helps a person cope with daily, boring and burdening situations.