Shuffle
Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2014 9:25 pm
by David Myer
I wonder if the two meanings are somehow connected etymologically. Shuffling cards so as to arrange them randomly is quite a long way from a shuffling gait. Is there an onomatopoeic connection?
David
Re: Shuffle
Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 5:41 pm
by Perry Lassiter
Online Etymology Dictionary has several uses of the word, all going back to the 16th or 17th century. It identifies a couple possible derivations, but doesn't connect them. You raised an interesting question. Don't forget that an administrator might shuffle several people, moving them into different positions. You can also shuffle objects on a desk, perhaps to hide one of them from view. Might be a very good word for the doctor do a work up on.