Hermeneutic refers to the methodological principles of interpretation or a specific method or principle of interpretation itself.
Etymology: Derived from the Greek hermeneutikos (of or for interpreting), linked to Hermes, the messenger god who interpreted messages between gods and mortals.
Originally applied to biblical exegesis and religious texts, it has expanded to include the interpretation of philosophical texts, law, art, and human action in social sciences.
Philosophical Hermeneutics: Modern thinkers like Hans-Georg Gadamer and Martin Heidegger shifted the focus from mere text analysis to understanding interpretation as a fundamental aspect of human existence, emphasizing that understanding is always influenced by historical and cultural context.
Distinction from Exegesis: While exegesis focuses on the technical interpretation of a specific text's word and grammar, hermeneutics is the broader discipline governing the principles and methods used to derive meaning from texts, communications, and social phenomena.
In a broader sense it is about how you interpret anything and everything