Etymology gleanings for April 2023
Always, let me thank our correspondents for consulting the blog, asking questions, and offering words of encouragement.
What does a technical writer do?
When people think about careers in writing, they may focus on writing novels or films, poetry or non-fiction. But for steady work, there is nothing like technical writing.
A riddling tale
The root of riddle “puzzle,” from rædels(e), is Old English rædan “to read.”
Hooker, as promised
The Oxford Etymologist explores the etymological development and history of the word “hooker.”
Prolegomena to the word hooker: the English verb filch
Problems emerge the moment we begin to explore the history of filch, because two homonymous verbs exist: filch “to attack” and filch “to steal.” They are almost certainly unrelated.
A rake’s etymological progress to hell
Three English words sound as rake: the garden instrument, the profligate, and a sailing term meaning “inclination from the perpendicular.” Though at first sight, they do not seem to be connected, I’ll try to show that their histories perhaps intertwine.
Scratching all the way to hell (second series)
At first sight, the origin of the verb “scratch” looks unproblematic… The Oxford Etymologist scratches beneath the surface of “scratch.”
When meanings go akimbo
The realization started with the word akimbo. I had first learned it as meaning a stance with hands on the hips, and I associated the stance with the comic book image of Superman confronting evildoers. Body language experts sometimes call this a power pose, intended to project confidence or dominance.
A guide to going to hell (first draft) and other matters
The Oxford Etymologist ruminates on the origins and meanings of idioms including “to go to hell in a handbasket.”
How to define 2022 in words? Our experts take a look… (part four)
Now the dust has settled on another eventful year, it’s time to look back on some of the words that characterised 2022.
Spring gleanings and a partial spring cleaning
The Oxford Etymologist replies to etymology questions from readers.
Going out on an etymological limb
Today’s post is about the murky origin of the word “limb”.
Women in the history of linguistics—from marginalization to recognition
Women’s history month raises issues of erasure and marginalization, authority and power which, sadly, are still relevant for women today. Much can be learnt from the experience of women in the past.
Semantic prosody
When linguists talk about prosody, the term usually refers to aspects of speech that go beyond individual vowels and consonants such as intonation, stress, and rhythm. Such suprasegmental features may reflect the tone or focus of a sentence.
How to define 2022 in words? Our experts take a look… (part three)
Now the dust has settled on another eventful year, it’s time to look back on some of the words that characterised 2022.
Sib and peace
The Oxford Etymologist has examined the verbs “begin” and “start.” For consistency’s sake, it is now necessary to say something about the noun and the verb “end.”