Meaning and Origin of "Poppet"
Jane
endearment. One of my on-line American friends, whom I'd thus addressed,
asked "What does poppet mean?"
I had to confess I don't know whether it ever has had any meaning. It may be
a contraction or corruption of a "proper" word. I seem to remember, that it
only used to be used as a term of endearment for a small female child.
However, I have heard, or seen it used more frequently with adults now, and
even for men.
My dad has always used "pet" as his term of affection, and I now wonder if
that is derived from the same root.
Does anyone out there have any knowledge of this? (I hate unanswerable
challenges!)
Jane
Gary Allen
"Jane" <jan...@takemycoatoffvirgin.net> wrote:
> I have, in the last, two or three years, used "poppet" as a term of
> endearment. One of my on-line American friends, whom I'd thus
addressed,
> asked "What does poppet mean?"
Arthur Miller, in "The Crucible," used the term to mean a child's
doll... which in witch-crazy Salem was taken to mean something like a
voodoo doll. I don't know if the word actually had those meanings in
17th C Massachussetts. I suppose he did his homework though...
--
Gary Allen, The Culinary Institute of America
"The Resource Guide for Food Writers" http://www.foodbooks.com/
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
Martin Ambuhl
Jane wrote:
>
> I have, in the last, two or three years, used "poppet" as a term of
> endearment. One of my on-line American friends, whom I'd thus addressed,
> asked "What does poppet mean?"
It is "an endearingly sweet or pretty child" (COD10). Put a dictionary
on your shopping list or use one of the on-line ones available.
--
Martin Ambuhl mam...@earthlink.net
What one knows is, in youth, of little moment; they know enough who
know how to learn. - Henry Adams
A thick skin is a gift from God. - Konrad Adenauer
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Dr Zen
>> I have, in the last, two or three years, used "poppet" as a
term of
>> endearment. One of my on-line American friends, whom I'd thus
>addressed,
>> asked "What does poppet mean?"
>
child's
>doll... which in witch-crazy Salem was taken to mean something
like a
>voodoo doll. I don't know if the word actually had those
meanings in
>17th C Massachussetts. I suppose he did his homework though...
>
>--
>Gary Allen, The Culinary Institute of America
>"The Resource Guide for Food Writers" http://www.foodbooks.com/
>
>
>Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
>Before you buy.
>
It's the old form of 'puppet', cognate with Fr. 'poupee',
Latin 'pupa'='girl', 'doll'.
* Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet's Discussion Network *
The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet - Free!
Jane
Martin Ambuhl <mam...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:390DEA53...@earthlink.net...
>
>
> Jane wrote:
> >
> > I have, in the last, two or three years, used "poppet" as a term of
> > endearment. One of my on-line American friends, whom I'd thus addressed,
> > asked "What does poppet mean?"
>
> on your shopping list or use one of the on-line ones available.
>
Thanks for the reply.
I appreciate you giving me the definition, but not the directive to put a
dictionary on my shopping list, or to use the on-line ones available.
I asked on this NG for good reason. Nobody should have to justify their
reasons for asking questions in a NG. Many people do not have access to the
information they require at any given moment, for all sorts of reasons.
But for the record, although I own many good dictionaries, they are not
available to me at present. I am not in a financial position to purchase
further copies,or replace those that have been lost/stolen. And I *did*
search the internet, - for over an hour, at pay-per minute rates.
Unfortunately, in common with many UK users, I experienced connection
difficulties. (It is a public holiday today, and nearly all of the pc owning
Britons are staying on line, preventing others from logging on) Many of the
links I tried to follow were either dead, or wouldn't load. This Ng was one
of the resources I found, and I had to spend 25 minutes subscribing to, and
downloading this!
So, if I or anyone else, asks questions, please try to answer with good
grace or not at all.
Jane
Jane
Gary Allen <gal...@idsi.net> wrote in message
news:8ekohe$tb2$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...
> In article <8ekl9u$i4r$1...@supernews.com>,
> "Jane" <jan...@takemycoatoffvirgin.net> wrote:
> > I have, in the last, two or three years, used "poppet" as a term of
> > endearment. One of my on-line American friends, whom I'd thus
> addressed,
> > asked "What does poppet mean?"
>
> doll... which in witch-crazy Salem was taken to mean something like a
> voodoo doll. I don't know if the word actually had those meanings in
> 17th C Massachussetts. I suppose he did his homework though...
>
At the time I posted my message, I could find no references at all, (due to
slow, non- loading connections) but I tried again, - way past my bed-time,
and discovered the same definition - a child's doll or puppet. So I suppose
he did do his homework!
It would appear, that I, in common with most English people use the word in
the same context - ie something loved, and cherished.
Jane
Seven
<jan...@takemycoatoffvirgin.net> wrote:
SNIP
> Thanks for the reply.
>
> I appreciate you giving me the definition, but not the directive to put a
> dictionary on my shopping list, or to use the on-line ones available.
>
snip
>
> So, if I or anyone else, asks questions, please try to answer with good
> grace or not at all.
>
Jane, finding a definition of 'poppet' at, for example,
http://www.dictionary.com/cgi-bin/dict.pl?db=*&term=poppet
would have been much quicker than posting your request to the NG.
And notwithstanding your injunction, if Martin feels constrained to
suggest you buy a dictionary or check a dictionary online, he's free to
so do.
School, as they say, is out.
Red Valerian
<jan...@takemycoatoffvirgin.net> wrote:
>> Arthur Miller, in "The Crucible," used the term to mean a child's
>> doll... which in witch-crazy Salem was taken to mean something like a
>> voodoo doll. I don't know if the word actually had those meanings in
>> 17th C Massachussetts. I suppose he did his homework though...
>>
The following if from a 1693 account by Puritan fanatic Cotton Mather,
describing the trial for witchcraft of one George Burroughs.
"These now testified that G. B. had been at witch-meetings with them,
and that he was the person who had seduc'd and compell'd them into the
snares of witchcraft; that he promised them fine cloaths for doing it;
that he brought poppets to them, and thorns to stick into those
poppets, for the afflicting of other people; and that he exhorted them
with the rest of the crew to bewitch all Salem Village, but be sure to
do it gradually, if they would prevail in what they did. "
The word is used again in Mather's account of the trial of Margaret
Rule, where a group of supposedly bewitched children attempted to
torment a female victim in the same way, although this time they
were prevented - apparently by divine intervention:
"On the last day of the week her tormentors (as she thought and said)
approaching towards her, would be forced still to recoil and retire as
unaccountably unable to meddle with her; and they would retire to the
fire side with their poppets; but going to stick pins into those
poppets, they could not (according to their visions) make the pins to
enter. "
BTW, and for US readers. In the UK the word 'poppet' is now either
a term of endearment - usually reserved for children - or else a
brand name for chocolate covered balls of toffee, similar to Milk
Duds.
Red
RGB
35Kg bundle of neurotic Labrador and a small doll is entirely coincidental.
--
Richard
'86 90 2.5D Hardtop
Pembrokeshire, UK
Richard....@btinternet.com
David Taylor
I believe it has its origins in the middle ages and stems from "puppet".
It is also used in engineering to describe part of a valve.
Regards,
David Taylor.
Dr Robin Bignall
Dave, me old, aren't the poppets the things that sit between the
valves and the camshaft, and which, when not properly adjusted, make
that rattling sound? (I can't remember whether, in my misspent youth,
I got you involved in lying underneath those old cars I used to tinker
with!)
--
wrmst rgds
RB...(docr...@cwcom.net)
RGB
They're the name for the gap between the pushrod (or cam follower on OHC
engines) and the valve rocker . They still rattle if they're loose, though.
A "poppet valve" is the correct term for the type of mushroom-shaped valve
used in the inlet and exhaust of IC engines (as opposed to disc valves,
etc.).
HTH <g>
--
Richard
'86 90 2.5D Hardtop
Pembrokeshire, UK
Richard....@btinternet.com
Dr Robin Bignall wrote in message ...
Dr Robin Bignall
<Richard....@btinternet.com> wrote:
>No, Robin, they're called tappets. On a modern car, they don't exist.
>They're the name for the gap between the pushrod (or cam follower on OHC
>engines) and the valve rocker . They still rattle if they're loose, though.
>
>A "poppet valve" is the correct term for the type of mushroom-shaped valve
>used in the inlet and exhaust of IC engines (as opposed to disc valves,
>etc.).
>
>HTH <g>
You know, that came to me in the middle of the night, but I didn't
dare to fire Windows up in case it disturbed my Mrs! My OED goes on to
state that poppet valves are those which are operated, as you say, by
a pushing action, as opposed to discs or hinged valves.
I guess that during my life I recognised the difference between
poppets (which can be used as an affectionate word for young ladies,
as well as children) and tappets largely by instinct, I'm glad to say!
--
wrmst rgds
RB...(docr...@cwcom.net)
Trev
<Richard....@btinternet.com> wrote:
>And, of course, "puppy", though any similarity between my black, slobbery
>35Kg bundle of neurotic Labrador and a small doll is entirely coincidental.
Wasn't Larry Grayson's postman called Poppet-in-Pete?
Trev (Milnrow, UK)
mailto: tr...@ecl.u-net.com
RGB
wine and dine first.
Socket to me.
--
Richard
'86 90 2.5D Hardtop
Pembrokeshire, UK
Richard....@btinternet.com
Dr Robin Bignall wrote in message
<633ehs86odusra3a3...@4ax.com>...
Dr Robin Bignall
<Richard....@btinternet.com> wrote:
>Also, only one can be assessed with a feeler gauge. The other you need to
>wine and dine first.
>
>Socket to me.
Yes. Paying for those meals was quite a wrench.
--
wrmst rgds
RB...(docr...@cwcom.net)
RGB
--
Richard
'86 90 2.5D Hardtop
Pembrokeshire, UK
Richard....@btinternet.com
Dr Robin Bignall wrote in message
<82hhhsserdmi094d0...@4ax.com>...
Dr Robin Bignall
<Richard....@btinternet.com> wrote:
Dr Robin Bignall wrote in message
<82hhhsserdmi094d0...@4ax.com>...
>On Tue, 9 May 2000 19:47:05 +0100, "RGB"
><Richard....@btinternet.com> wrote:
>
>>Also, only one can be assessed with a feeler gauge. The other you need to
>>
>>Socket to me. (RGB)
>Yes. Paying for those meals was quite a wrench. (RB)
>Ah, but did you get a screw, driver? (RGB)
What an indelicate question! I propose to put a spanner in the works
by turning this thread off...
--
wrmst rgds
RB...(docr...@cwcom.net)
RGB
would be a talk wrench.
<nods furiously>
end of thread
<wipes brow>
--
Richard
'86 90 Hardtop 2.5D
Pembrokeshire UK
Dr Robin Bignall <docr...@cwcom.net> wrote in message