harridan

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eberntson
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harridan

Postby eberntson » Thu Jan 10, 2008 1:40 pm

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. :-)
EBERNTSON
Fear less, hope more;
eat less, chew more;
whine less, breathe more;
talk less, say more,
and all good things will be yours.
--R. Burns

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gailr
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Re: harridan

Postby gailr » Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:29 am

Near synonyms include: shrew and hag.
Don't forget fishwife, a mermaid-gone-horribly-wrong.
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.
An why wolde she not, when hir housbonde is oute chasing after the fillees.

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Postby Perry » Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:29 am

Or the filét (oops, that was a different thread).
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Postby Stargzer » Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:55 pm

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

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Postby sluggo » Tue Jan 15, 2008 2:49 am

Or the filét (oops, that was a different thread).
--and thread in French is fil. Well done, Per. :wink:

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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Postby Stargzer » Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:08 am

Or the filét (oops, that was a different thread).
--and thread in French is fil. Well done, Per. :wink:

There was (maybe still is) a New Orleans blues/funk band in Philadelphia called Philly Gumbo. Always thought that one of the cleverer names.
And en français a file of the computer type is a fiche.
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

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Postby sluggo » Tue Jan 15, 2008 1:44 pm

Or the filét (oops, that was a different thread).
--and thread in French is fil.
And en français a file of the computer type is a fiche.
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...
Stop! Murder us not, tonsured rumpots! Knife no one, fink!

Stargzer
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Postby Stargzer » Tue Jan 15, 2008 4:05 pm

...

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]
Wegthema? Ich?

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


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