French - things I wonder at 5am

[Lurapuppypants]

How come the word "cher" can mean both expensive and dear (as in dear friend, or the start of a letter) just like in English?

What is the etymology that allows two disparate meanings in two languages?

Same in German ("teuer") and Russian ("dorogoi"). Not etymology but adjacent meanings IMHO.

Same in Italian - 'caro' can be both expensive and dear.

We have it in English too! You can use dear to refer to price.

Sorry just reread your OP. As you were.

Caro has the same 2 meanings in Spanish as well.

I've never thought of that but that's interesting - I guess you are saying 'To my friend who I recognise of great value'

Yes, I think of them as both precious.

Valued?

They're not disparate meanings though, are they? 'dear' in english is used for both beloved and expensive.

Yes! Thinking of it as "valued" or "precious" makes sense of course.

Though puts another spin on it when I'm writing to complain about a train being late, "Most precious Sir or Madam..." 😂