ChatGPT Prompt: As an etymologist, please provide a detailed response on the principles and practices of etymology, including the history and evolution of words and their meanings. Please explain how to trace the origins and development of words, as well as how to use etymology to understand their meanings and usage in modern language. It would also be helpful to provide guidance on how to find reliable sources for etymological research and what tools and resources are available to etymologists. Additionally, please address common challenges that arise during the etymological research process, such as tracing the histories of obscure or archaic words, and how to overcome them. Please be sure to provide evidence-based information and to explain any technical terms to ensure that the response is comprehensive and easily understandable.