Etymology Faves

A discussion of word histories and origins.
brogine
Lexiterian
Posts: 229
Joined: Sun Feb 11, 2007 4:41 pm

Etymology Faves

Postby brogine » Tue Jan 16, 2018 8:03 pm

Have a favorite tortuous-path etymology? I'm fond of 'tabby' and 'album', as applied to a collection of music, particularly in one of the new formats.
Also, how about curious cousins, like 'hearse' and 'rehearse', not to mention 'vagina' and 'vanilla'?

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Slava
Great Grand Panjandrum
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Re: Etymology Faves

Postby Slava » Mon Jan 22, 2018 12:27 pm

I like tawdry.
Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.

brogine
Lexiterian
Posts: 229
Joined: Sun Feb 11, 2007 4:41 pm

Re: Etymology Faves

Postby brogine » Thu Feb 01, 2018 6:45 pm

'Tawdry' is good, but I was looking for less straightforward derivations. The English seem to have a penchant for elision in names. Think 'Bedlam' and 'Sinjin' (St. John), not to mention 'Fanshaw' (Featherstonhaugh).
Forgot 'Chumley' before. Spelled 'Cholmondeley'.

brogine
Lexiterian
Posts: 229
Joined: Sun Feb 11, 2007 4:41 pm

Re: Etymology Faves

Postby brogine » Wed Mar 28, 2018 4:45 pm

Here's another good one. Can you find the route from the erudite quill of Washington Irving to "Don't get your knickers in a twist"?


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