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=SDC= Q28: Neither posh nor OK
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Jerry Friedman
Sep 3, 2012, 12:29:32 AM9/3/12
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This German word has a number of suggested etymologies, most of which
it itself must describe--they can't all be true. The most likely
etymology seems to be a calque from a French word that has been
borrowed into English in the same figurative sense (whose connection
to the literal sense is unclear). People have also suggested one of
those dubious etymologies from an initialism, in this case two
letters, referring to yet another language. What is the word and what
is at least one version of the initialism etymology?
--
Jerry Friedman, T. O. Panelist
it itself must describe--they can't all be true. The most likely
etymology seems to be a calque from a French word that has been
borrowed into English in the same figurative sense (whose connection
to the literal sense is unclear). People have also suggested one of
those dubious etymologies from an initialism, in this case two
letters, referring to yet another language. What is the word and what
is at least one version of the initialism etymology?
--
Jerry Friedman, T. O. Panelist
Vinny Burgoo
Sep 5, 2012, 7:25:38 PM9/5/12
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--
VB
Jerry Friedman
Sep 7, 2012, 3:20:59 PM9/7/12
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--
Jerry Friedman, T. O. hinter
Paul Wolff
Sep 10, 2012, 4:00:22 PM9/10/12
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In message
<468524c1-08d8-4fd5...@kg10g2000pbc.googlegroups.com>,
Jerry Friedman <je...@totally-official.com> writes
Wiktionary, so I guess its origin may be disputed. If it's derived as a
translation via fehlen or Fehl, the French word could be manquer, to
fail (notice a similar sound?). That word has been borrowed into English
(sort of - at least it has influenced the English) as manky, meaning
defective. Why that's figurative, I don't know.
As to an initialism - it doesn't work, does it?
then.
Unrichtig is another German word for incorrect, and die Nachrichten is
the news. The richt part is right. Nach-richten sets you right after you
have heard it. I don't think this is looking promising - I don't see
richtig as a calque from anything French.
Mon Dieu! (et mon droit).
I think I am expired from the competition round about now.
--
Paul
<468524c1-08d8-4fd5...@kg10g2000pbc.googlegroups.com>,
Jerry Friedman <je...@totally-official.com> writes
>On Sep 2, 10:29 pm, Jerry Friedman <je...@totally-official.com> wrote:
>> This German word has a number of suggested etymologies, most of which
>> it itself must describe--they can't all be true. The most likely
>> etymology seems to be a calque from a French word that has been
>> borrowed into English in the same figurative sense (whose connection
>> to the literal sense is unclear). People have also suggested one of
>> those dubious etymologies from an initialism, in this case two
>> letters, referring to yet another language. What is the word and what
>> is at least one version of the initialism etymology?
Fehler is an error and has no etymology offered in the German
>> This German word has a number of suggested etymologies, most of which
>> it itself must describe--they can't all be true. The most likely
>> etymology seems to be a calque from a French word that has been
>> borrowed into English in the same figurative sense (whose connection
>> to the literal sense is unclear). People have also suggested one of
>> those dubious etymologies from an initialism, in this case two
>> letters, referring to yet another language. What is the word and what
>> is at least one version of the initialism etymology?
Wiktionary, so I guess its origin may be disputed. If it's derived as a
translation via fehlen or Fehl, the French word could be manquer, to
fail (notice a similar sound?). That word has been borrowed into English
(sort of - at least it has influenced the English) as manky, meaning
defective. Why that's figurative, I don't know.
As to an initialism - it doesn't work, does it?
>
>The non-calque element of this word refers to the news.
Non-calque element? Composite word of some kind, then. News? Not manky,
>The non-calque element of this word refers to the news.
then.
Unrichtig is another German word for incorrect, and die Nachrichten is
the news. The richt part is right. Nach-richten sets you right after you
have heard it. I don't think this is looking promising - I don't see
richtig as a calque from anything French.
Mon Dieu! (et mon droit).
I think I am expired from the competition round about now.
--
Paul
Jerry Friedman
Sep 12, 2012, 1:44:42 PM9/12/12
to
On Sep 7, 1:20 pm, Jerry Friedman <je...@totally-official.com> wrote:
> On Sep 2, 10:29 pm, Jerry Friedman <je...@totally-official.com> wrote:
>
> > ThisGermanword has a number of suggested etymologies, most of which
> On Sep 2, 10:29 pm, Jerry Friedman <je...@totally-official.com> wrote:
>
> > it itself must describe--they can't all be true. The most likely
> > etymology seems to be a calque from a French word that has been
> > borrowed into English in the same figurative sense (whose connection
> > to the literal sense is unclear). People have also suggested one of
> > those dubious etymologies from an initialism, in this case two
> > letters, referring to yet another language. What is the word and what
> > is at least one version of the initialism etymology?
>
> The non-calque element of this word refers to the news.
Zeitungsente ("news duck", a false story), presumably from "canard",
> > etymology seems to be a calque from a French word that has been
> > borrowed into English in the same figurative sense (whose connection
> > to the literal sense is unclear). People have also suggested one of
> > those dubious etymologies from an initialism, in this case two
> > letters, referring to yet another language. What is the word and what
> > is at least one version of the initialism etymology?
>
> The non-calque element of this word refers to the news.
but sometimes "Ente" is said to be from "NT" for "not true" or "non
testatum".
--
Jerry Friedman, T. O. canarder
James Hogg
Sep 12, 2012, 1:51:13 PM9/12/12
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--
James
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