English - Etymology
From me (pronoun) + self (pronoun). Later partly reinterpreted as my + self (noun).
English - Pronoun
- (reflexive) Me, as direct or indirect object the speaker as the object of a verb or preposition, when the speaker is also the subject. [from 9th c.]
- Personally, for my part; used in apposition to I, sometimes for simple emphasis and sometimes with implicit exclusion of any others performing the activity described. [from 10th c.]
- Me (as the object of a verb or preposition). [from 10th c.]
- (archaic) I (as the subject of a verb). [from 14th c.]
Related terms
Usage notes
- Use where I could be used is mostly poetic or archaic, except with a coordinating conjunction, such as and.
- Garner's Modern American Usage (2009) reports opposition to the intensifier use, especially where I could be used.
- AP Stylebook Online (2010) reports opposition to the intensifier use as reflexive pronouns (myself) should not be used instead of objective pronouns (me).