Harrumph!!! Harrumph!!!

A discussion of word histories and origins.
eberntson
Lexiterian
Posts: 457
Joined: Thu Feb 10, 2005 10:48 am
Location: Cambridge, Mass
Contact:

Harrumph!!! Harrumph!!!

Postby eberntson » Wed Sep 21, 2005 11:53 am

Anyone know the history of this word? I can't get to an OED for a few days so could someone help me?

The most famous use of the word recently is in the movie "Blazing Saddles", see below. I believe it appears in in "Winnie the Pooh".

GOVERNOR: We've got to protect our phony-baloney jobs, gentlemen!

PRESS CORPS: Harrumph!! Harrumph!!

Eric

User avatar
Slava
Great Grand Panjandrum
Posts: 8013
Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2006 9:31 am
Location: Finger Lakes, NY

Postby Slava » Sun Apr 11, 2010 10:24 pm

As to history, it seems to be from the late 30s of the 20th century.

On a different note, it's a word for which dictionary.com does not use the usual terminology. They call it "imitative," not onomatopoeic.
Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.


Return to “Etymology”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 10 guests