Hi , the word "vetted" is expressed alot latlely.
Does anyone know the meaning, and derivation?
TIA,
Dennis
--
"Be suspicious of anybody who claims to know the truth."
[SOED5]
vet, verb trans.
/vEt/
Infl. -tt-. L19.
[from VET noun1.]
1. Submit (an animal) to examination or treatment by a veterinary
surgeon. colloq. L19.
2. Examine or treat (a person) medically. slang. L19.
3. Examine (work, a scheme, person, etc.) carefully and critically for
deficiencies or errors; spec. investigate the suitability of (a
candidate) for a post requiring particular loyalty and trustworthiness. E20.
positive vetting: see POSITIVE adjective.
Times Vassall had been vetted as necessary for his special post.
• vetter noun a person who vets people or things L20.
==== and the "VET noun1" ====
vet, noun1.
/vEt/
M19.
[Abbreviation of VETERINARIAN or VETERINARY.]
1. A veterinary surgeon. colloq. M19.
2. A doctor of medicine. slang. E20.
Evan Morris, in his *Word Detective* Web site at
http://www.word-detective.com/041798.html#vet
agrees that the verb "vet" comes from "veterinarian." He adds (in an article
from 1998) that "it has been in standard, albeit informal, use in Britain
since the turn of the century. "
--
Raymond S. Wise
Minneapolis, Minnesota USA
E-mail: mplsray @ yahoo . com
> Evan Morris, in his *Word Detective* Web site at
>
> http://www.word-detective.com/041798.html#vet
>
> agrees that the verb "vet" comes from "veterinarian." He adds (in an article
> from 1998) that "it has been in standard, albeit informal, use in Britain
> since the turn of the century. "
>
Based on nothing more than informal, unsystematic personal observation
on both sides of the pond, I'd say it is a fairly recent BrE import into
AmE.
I don't recall hearing/reading it from AmE government sources or news
outlets even 3-4 years ago, and now it's more or less standard.
I think he's wrong to imply its use was informal throughout C20. OED cites
'positive vetting' from 1955 viz. : "H. Macmillan in Hansard Commons 7 Nov.
1499 At the beginning of 1952, a regular system of positive vetting was
introduced. This procedure entails detailed research into the whole
background of the officer concerned." which places the term in the Civil
Service from 1952.
It was a well known and official term for a formal procedure when I joined
in the 60s. People of a certain rank or who were candidates for certain jobs
had to be 'positively vetted' ( in the jargon, "PV'd").
--
John Dean
Oxford
I'm pretty sure it goes back further than that, used for a new
President's picking Cabinet members. So maybe it is like the locusts,
only around for a little while every 4 or 8 years.
But you're right. Words catch on and get very popular quickly
sometimes.
s/ meirman If you are emailing me please
say if you are posting the same response.
Born west of Pittsburgh Pa. 10 years
Indianapolis, 7 years
Chicago, 6 years
Brooklyn NY 12 years
Baltimore 20 years
The difference between the positive and negative forms of vetting is
described on an Australian Department of Defence webpage:
http://www.defence.gov.au/budget/02-03/dar/03_08security.htm
<quote>
The basis for negative vetting is that a clearance will be granted unless
the inquiry process reveals information prejudicial to the subject's
suitability. Positive vetting requires that the checking process continue
until suitability has been established beyond reasonable doubt.
</quote>
Negative vetting looks at what is already known about the person.
Positive vetting goes much deeper and involves exploring relevant aspects of
the person's life so far. This will include interviewing family, friends and
other contacts as well as the person being vetted.
I and some colleagues were psoitively vetted in the early 1960s in
connection with a job we were to do at a UK government establishment.
We had to supply the names of referees - people who knew us and could speak
knowledgeably about our activities and proclivities.
One of my colleagues was contacted by the investigator on his case and
invited to give another person as referee in place of one he had specified.
It seemed that unknown to him the person he had originally suggested was not
above suspicion! A substitute name was supplied and all went smoothly from
then on.
--
Peter Duncanson
UK
(posting from a.e.u)
Thank you all for the intelligent responses. I guess it
is word , but it is not to be found in the dictiionary, as "vetted".
-Dennis
>
> "Dennis" <Howdy Do...@doody.net> wrote in message
> news:109aegd...@corp.supernews.com...
> >
> >
> > Hi , the word "vetted" is expressed alot latlely.
> > Does anyone know the meaning, and derivation?
> >
>
> as used on people it means they passed scutiny and have been
> cleared for security purposes .
In Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and probably some other areas, ``vetted''
is commonly used as an expression (or slang?) to say that someone
refused an invitation for a date (for example). :-)
Translated to Portuguese: ``vetado''.
>Thank you all for the intelligent responses. I guess it
>is word , but it is not to be found in the dictiionary, as "vetted".
That's the past tense or past participle. Did you look under 'vet'?
If it's not there, it's because it's a regular form.
>
> -Dennis