harridan [n. HAR-ih-den] A sharp-tongued woman, especially one who is older, can be called a harridan. This noun describes fierce, ill-tempered women who are always scolding and disapproving. Near synonyms include: shrew and hag. Example: "Bianca's older sister was an ill-tempered harridan named Kate." The word, in use since the 1700s, is perhaps a modification of the French haridelle, which described an old horse or gaunt woman. Making the leap from a horse to a woman who nags is not so far-fetched when you recognize that the noun nag has been in use since the 15th century to describe a horse that is old or in poor condition. This latter noun developed from the Middle English nagge, akin to the Dutch negge (small horse).
1700, "one that is half Whore, half Bawd" ["Dictionary of the Canting Crew"]; "a decayed strumpet" [Johnson], from Fr. haridelle "a poore tit, or leane ill-favored jade," [Cotgrave, 1611], in Fr. from 16c., of unknown origin.
3) a scolding (even vicious) old woman
Anyone have a poem called "I. Harridan" from a collection called "The Grimm Sisters" by Liz Lochhead? I'd like to get the whole text.
harridan
Re: harridan
Don't forget fishwife, a mermaid-gone-horribly-wrong.Near synonyms include: shrew and hag.
An why wolde she not, when hir housbonde is oute chasing after the fillees.Making the leap from a horse to a woman who nags is not so far-fetched when you recognize that the noun nag has been in use since the 15th century to describe a horse that is old or in poor condition.
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- Great Grand Panjandrum
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Or is he out chasing the sassy-frassy filés? Mi-o-my-o! Will it bayou anything?
Regards//Larry
"To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them."
-- Attributed to Richard Henry Lee
"To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them."
-- Attributed to Richard Henry Lee
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- Grand Panjandrum
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--and thread in French is fil. Well done, Per.Or the filét (oops, that was a different thread).
There was (maybe still is) a New Orleans blues/funk band in Philadelphia called Philly Gumbo. Always thought that one of the cleverer names.
Stop! Murder us not, tonsured rumpots! Knife no one, fink!
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- Great Grand Panjandrum
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- Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 3:56 pm
- Location: Crownsville, MD
And en français a file of the computer type is a fiche.--and thread in French is fil. Well done, Per.Or the filét (oops, that was a different thread).
There was (maybe still is) a New Orleans blues/funk band in Philadelphia called Philly Gumbo. Always thought that one of the cleverer names.
Regards//Larry
"To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them."
-- Attributed to Richard Henry Lee
"To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them."
-- Attributed to Richard Henry Lee
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- Grand Panjandrum
- Posts: 1476
- Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2006 1:58 pm
- Location: Carolinia Agrestícia: The Forest Primeval
A file est a fiche?And en français a file of the computer type is a fiche.--and thread in French is fil.Or the filét (oops, that was a different thread).
Sounds fishy but feels right.
"A fille est a fish" might poetically describe a mermaid (but not mare-maid) Voilà, back on topic (nag nag nag)[/stretch]
quel tangled ouaibbe oui weave...
Stop! Murder us not, tonsured rumpots! Knife no one, fink!
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- Great Grand Panjandrum
- Posts: 2578
- Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 3:56 pm
- Location: Crownsville, MD
Wegthema? Ich?...
A file est a fiche?
Sounds fishy but feels right.
"A fille est a fish" might poetically describe a mermaid (but not mare-maid) Voilà, back on topic (nag nag nag)[/stretch]
quel tangled ouaibbe oui weave...[/quote]
Him-fella sayin' patois de pidgin gras!
Regards//Larry
"To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them."
-- Attributed to Richard Henry Lee
"To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them."
-- Attributed to Richard Henry Lee
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