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Discussing the origins of words and phrases, in English or any other language. Powered by @r_channels @reddit2telegram
Is there a connection between stool (seating object) and stool (product of defecation)?
https://redd.it/145bgnw
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Why does the SLFZ rule occur?
I am an Orton Gillingham tutor, and part of our program is teaching our students the etymology of certain words so they can understand why they are spelled that way. I have one student who wants to know the why behind everything, and I’m about to teach the SLFZ doubling rule and I admit that I know when it happens but not why.
For those who don’t know this is the rule: In one syllable words with a short vowel, if it ends in s, l, f, z, double the final consonant. (Ex: floss, fall, sniff, buzz). Why do we do this with only these 4 letters?
https://redd.it/14527p5
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Origin of the idiom "in knots"
Origin of the idiom "in knots"
Hello r/etymology I am researching for a book on cord and knot magic. I have successfully tracked the origin of "tying the knot" back to marriage rituals involving knots. This then led me down a very unrewarding rabbit hole searching for the origin of the phrase "in knots".
Examples:
"My stomach is in knots!" (Nervous, anxious, worried)
"I am in knots." (Confused, anxious, upset)
This can then potentially flow into "a knot in my back" or similar sayings.
My THEORY is that medieval perspectives of illnesses mixed with the common knowledge of the time that witches worked heavily with knots to bring misfortune, discord, and even death. There is also evidence of these supposed knots being tied around the waist specifically, in the instances of faeries who also enacted their magic through knotting people's and animal's hair, known as faerie knots.
In general, in those times, to say that your stomach or entire being is in knots would mean that you were experiencing some form of supernatural malady or injury in that area.
I have exhausted googling and researching old books and hopefully someone here can assist with this origin!!!
Thank you!
https://redd.it/144q5fm
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Which language had a word to describe a pig before the other; French or Spanish?
https://redd.it/143v7vg
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The Japanese word for salmon is Sake. English is sockeye...etc
I've become fascinated tonight over the fact that in Japanese the word for Salmon is Sake or Benizake for Sockeye Salmon. Sockeye apparently is a anglicization of a Pacific coast Halkomelem (tribe?) native word Suk-Kegh. Apparently there have been some suggestions that the Ainu Natives of Japan are related to the Pacific NW native people.
Also generally
Benizake means red fish
Suk-Kegh means red fish
Anyways anyone have any idea why these words are so similar an ocean apart? I feel like there must be an etymological connection. Off to do more research! Fascinating!
https://redd.it/1431nwq
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I want to tattoo the word “Vertere” on my body.
To me, this tattoo will represent several serendipitous happenings, my love for Shakespearean verse, and the peaceful reminder that the universe turning as one… plus numerous other emotional impressions.
Is there anything in the meaning/history of this Latin root that I should know about? Am I missing the meaning of the word?
Are there conjugations or variations that make more sense out of context? Vertō or vertēre?
Thank you and sorry if this isn’t the right way to go about engaging with this community!
https://redd.it/141rdi1
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What is the etymology of the Croatian dialectism (in the town of Donji Miholjac and, as far as I can tell, unknown elsewhere) "regav" (wrinkled)? Is it related to Ancient Greek ῥαγή ("rhage", crack)?
https://redd.it/141q681
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r/etymology and Reddit's changes to the API
**Reddit's upcoming changes to API pricing and access will kill apps that are essential for moderation. In protest, this subreddit will go private on June 12th.**
In doing so, we're joining hundreds of other Reddit communities, large and small, that rely on the accessibility, functionality, and usability of third-party apps that make use of the Reddit API.
### What's going on?
[A recently-announced Reddit policy change](https://www.reddit.com/r/reddit/comments/12qwagm/an_update_regarding_reddits_api/) will make it unaffordable for developers to run third-party mobile apps, making a great many quality-of-life features not seen in the official mobile app permanently inaccessible to users.
This isn't only a problem on the user level. Many subreddit moderators depend on tools only available outside the official app to keep their communities on-topic and spam-free. r/etymology requires removal of posts, reminders of the rules, and moderation of comments multiple times a day, and this is only prwctically possible with proper tools.
### What's the plan?
On June 12th, [many subreddits will be going dark](about:blank) to protest this policy. This isn't something subreddit moderators do lightly; we do what we do because we love Reddit, and we truly believe this change will make it impossible to keep doing what we love.
### What can you do as a user?
* **Learn more** on r/Save3rdPartyApps
* **Communicate your thoughts to Reddit.** Message the mods of r/reddit.com, who are the admins of the site; message /u/reddit, or comment in relevant threads on r/reddit, such as [this one,](https://www.reddit.com/r/reddit/comments/12qwagm/an_update_regarding_reddits_api/).
* **Spread the word** on related subreddits, and suggest to anyone you know who moderates a subreddit that they join the coordinated mod effort at r/ModCoord.
* **Boycott:** stay off Reddit entirely on June 12th through the 13th - instead, take to other platforms and make some noise in support!
* **Be nice.** As upsetting this may be, please make every effort to be as restrained, polite, and reasonable as possible.
### What can you do as a moderator?
* Join the coordinated effort over at r/ModCoord
* Make a sticky post showing your support. [A template has been created here](https://www.reddit.com/r/ProCSS/wiki/api_protest_template) you can use or modify to your liking, and be sure to crosspost it to r/ModCoord.
Thank you for your patience in the matter.
\- The r/etymology moderation team
https://redd.it/141dxj1
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Do you think there's a relationship between the words candid and candidate?
I am clueless about etymology and how to research this in an accurate, well-sourced, manner (as I am not an academic in this field to any degree)
https://redd.it/140wje0
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How it is that Proto-Finno-Ugric had the word meaning 100 (a borrowing from Indo-Iranian), but not the word for 10 (as Hungarian borrowed it from Indo-Iranian as well, but Finnish has a native word for 10)?
If a language has a word meaning 100, doesn't it also need to have a word meaning 10?
https://redd.it/140m6rn
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So I was looking up the etymology of "sophisticated"...
https://redd.it/14033w4
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Duchy vs Dukedom
Duchies and dukedoms are both areas of land ruled or reigned over by a duke (or duchess). Today in modern European monarchies' laws, they are very symbolic for the most part. When a country is ruled over by a sovereign duke, it seems that it is called a duchy (ex. Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, a grand duchy in this case as it is ruled, or more accurately reigned over by a grand duke). When a person holds the title of duke—a holdover of feudalism—in a country that is reigned over by a king or queen, it seems that it and, technically, the area in which the title refers to is called a dukedom (ex. Dukedom of Edinburgh \- Edinburgh).
​
So I may have hit the nail on the head, here. Is it called a duchy when it is a sovereign state? And then, is it called a dukedom when it a title held from the remnants of feudalism? Not that Luxembourg isn't a leftover of feudalism, 'cause 'tis.
More examples, if that helps whatsoever:
Grand Duchy of Baden (1806–1918)
Duchy of Brabant (1183–1797)
Dukedom of Kent \- Kent
Dukedom of Norfolk \- Norfolk
https://redd.it/13zzwpw
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Someone said I’m a madonna and I don’t know what it means. Do you understand what he was trying to say?
Context:
I’m sitting on a boat on the coastline of Mexico along with about 8 other tourists. We’re out there in the Mayan reefs scuba diving. I have already chatted with the instructor a fair amount and we got along okay.
I was feeling extremely seasick out there, and so I didn’t complete my second dive. And while sitting hunched over the rails, feeling like my stomach might turn inside out, the instructor turned to the guys next to us (father and son) and I heard the instructor say to them:
”She’s a madonna. But you know what they say about madonna: it might not seem like it, but apprently she is not all that innocent”.
Wtf. Why the heck did he say that when I could hear, and what does it mean?
(Note: He didn’t say prima donna from what I could hear, and it also doesn’t make sense with the rest of the sentence)
Okay so… here’s what I’ve read:
”To some people, calling someone a madonna might simply mean that they are a very beautiful woman. To others, it might imply that the person is a kind and caring mother figure. And to still others, the term might be used to describe someone who is seen as a religious or spiritual icon. Ultimately, the meaning of the term will depend on the context in which it is used and the person who is using it.”
I’m so confused. What did he imply, then?! That I’m chaste and prude outwardly, but sexually I’m probably not that inexperienced?! 😂 Like, what’s the point? What am I missing?
I might have to add the ages of the people to give you an idea:
- Instructor: age 34
- Me: age 30
- Dad: age 38
- Son: age 15
Don’t know if their ages are relevant but there you go 😂
https://redd.it/13zv0pv
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Origin of the English phrase "what with the..."
I'm a native English speaker and I had one of those moments where I was using my own language and went "...huh"
The context is a situation where one is describing (usually unfortunate) events as a reason for something else. There's also a tinge of sarcasm woven through.
Example:
"I can't come into work today, what with the flooding and all"
I also feel like then ending "and all" needs to be at the end of the phrase? You could say:
"Don't walk over there, what with the shattered glass"
It would be an incomplete sentence but still convey meaning and under the assumption that the listener knew there was shattered glass.
I am understanding that this could be a slang substitute for "on account of (the)"
Example:
"I can't come into work today on account of the flooding"
Any thoughts or knowledge on where "what with the" phrasing came from?
https://redd.it/13zr3kf
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Marmelade
I just heard someone claiming that marmelade comes from the French "sea" and "sick" (mer AND malade) because orange jam was used by Spanish seamen to avoid scurvy (and sea sickness by extension).
But I couldn't find any such reference online so I'd like to hear your opinion.
Thanks
https://redd.it/13z82gi
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The term "candidatus" itself was derived from the Latin word "candidus," meaning "white." It was used in the context of elections because those seeking political positions would often wear this special white toga to distinguish themselves from the general public.
https://redd.it/1455wmm
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Why is “leigh” pronounced “lee?”
Like name Hayleigh. Anytime I see a spelling like this I pronounce it “hay-layh.” I can’t see “leigh” without thinking “layhh.”
Is there a reason it’s not pronounced “lee?” Is it just people saying it wrong, or is there an explanation for why this wacky spelling convention is pronounced nothing like how it’s spelled?
Edit: why am I getting downvoted for asking a question about a part of a word in a word sub
https://redd.it/144x7dp
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Combatible
I invented the word. It means two people in a love relationship who argue and come out the better for it, e.g., "We are not only compatible, but compatible." Feel free to use it.
https://redd.it/144c4r7
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Question about a curious phrase of the 19th century
Today I was reading a biography of William IV, King of the UK and came across this curious passage. The passage is describing an instance in 1834 when the King asked the prime minister, Lord Melbourne, to send letters proposing a coalition to opposition leaders.
Melbourne “went through the motions, as directed, but if ever a question was prefixed by the celebrated ‘num’ - expecting the answer no- it was to be found in the invitations…”
I searched for this on Google but any meaningful inquiries are obscured by webpages about numeral prefixes. Does anybody have any insight on this curious phrase? Thanks everybody!
https://redd.it/143rx0p
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What is the etymology of derg/dergo meaning "dragon"?
https://www.reddit.com/r/furry/comments/13sw0fb/is_there_a_known_etymology_for_derg_dergo/
https://redd.it/142xiux
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Strendu: a stone/cannibal giant from North American folklore
Does anyone know where this "Strendu" name comes from? It seems to me not to be any one language's name for the creature, but rather some umbrella term that's been applied. I have found individual terms from tribes: the Shoshoni called their giant "dzoavatis" (stone giant), the Seminole "esti capcaki" (tall man), Seneca "geno'sgwa" (stone giant), Paiute "numizo'ho" (crusher of people), Lakota "rugaeu" (big hairy man), etc.
Just curious. Thanks!
https://redd.it/141t3dm
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I'd like to know the etimilogy of the word "gajoodge" (?) in English used in Great Britain, meaning to "tidy up"
https://redd.it/141hxfx
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Lion etymology
Is the word lion/leo/lev reconstructed to PIE?
Might there be any connection with Semitic words : Hebrew levia(לביא), Accadic labbu and Arabic لَبُؤَة?
https://redd.it/141bhwy
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In the Korean word for elevator, "엘리베이터", coming from the English word "elevator", why are there two 'l'-s (ㄹ-s) in the beginning of the word?
In the Korean word for elevator, "엘리베이터", coming from the English word "elevator", why are there two 'l'-s (ㄹ-s) in the beginning of the word? The 'l' in the English word is geminated neither in pronunciation nor in writing. And it's not the only such word in Korean. The word for olive, "올리브", also has two 'l'-s for no obvious reason.
https://redd.it/140q4xk
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Help Originating Name & Surname
Hello, I am looking to originate the surname: Pajkanovic, and the name Pajkan.
To me, the name 'Pajkan' does not seem Slavic, while the surname does due to the suffix of 'ovic'. For further information, this surname is said to originate from a family member from Montenegro who was possibly a member of the Piperi Tribe, a Serbinised/Slavicised Albanian tribe. By originating the name and surname I will be able to confirm if he was in said tribe and thus Albanian, at least in ancestry. I have also done a DNA test that has said I am between 2% & 10% Albanian, if that helps too. This ancestor lived during the 18th Century, but was possibly born in the last decade of the 17th Century and moved between Kosova and Serbia before settling in North-Eastern Bosnia.
Sorry for the information overload, I just wanted to provide as many details to help anyone who wishes to originate the surname and name. Thanks so much in advance.
https://redd.it/140en49
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So I was looking up the etymology of "sophisticated"...
https://redd.it/14034wv
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“Phoned” vs “Called”
So we were watching an episode of The Good Wife, and noticed that in one episode, the characters always use the verb “to phone” instead of “to call”, eg “I’ll phone you later”, “he phoned me at home”, etc. The show is set in/near Chicago and the episode aired in 2010. I grew up in the same region at the same time, and we almost always said “call” instead of “phone”, so this dialogue was weirdly jarring. What I’m wondering is, was this almost exclusive use of “phone” instead of “call” specific to an American regional dialect? Our hypothesis is that the writer of the episode was from a part of the country where the use of “phone verb” was more common—what do you think?
https://redd.it/13zxkg6
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Origin of surnames Guzenski and Costanza?
https://redd.it/13zvwnv
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Vietnamese words derived from Proto-Indo-European
The Vietnamese word mật / mứt (meaning honey) ultimately comes from Proto-Indo-European médʰu and is a cognate of English mead.
Do you know any other Vietnamese words derived from Proto-Indo-European but aren't recent borrowings through French / English?
Or words derived from other language families (excluding Sinitic) e.g Afro-Asiatic, Tai-Kadai or Austronesian and also aren't recent borrowings through English / French?
https://redd.it/13zk8q8
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What's the origin of "into" in "I'm into you"?
etymonline just says "To be into (something) "be intensely involved in or devoted to" recorded by 1967 in American English youth slang."
without giving an explanation
https://redd.it/13z127j
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