Firkin is a small cask for liquids, or a measure for a small tank of fish. Children is a a) a quarter barrel, & b) metaphorically a large amount.
These are apparently lexical orphans. Middle dutch, that relate to German and English. Relate to family of other -kins, like jerkin, Wilkins, napkin, et al.
I know, I have heard some pet names between folks with -kins in them.
Firkin & Kilderkin
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Firkin & Kilderkin
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
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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Re: Firkin & Kilderkin
I wonder if -kin is related to the whole word kin.
Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.
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Re: Firkin & Kilderkin
It might be part of plattdeutsch, which was a trading language in the German culture used by the farmers, fisherman, and tradesman to do business. Measures were not necessarily standard so a little (-kin) might be a designation of size tacked onto the end of a goods name. This is all conjecture on my part. I can ask my uncle who took plattdeutsch in school.
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
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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