DIALECT AND WORD MEANINGS

[Bodger]

The only one i can thinkof is " letters"

[hartley353]

Out of an average English dictionary of 80,000 words close to 30% will have an origin in French, many others from Arabic, and a good few from Latin. Many others come from germanic and norse plus others too.

[Stanley]

'Virement', the power to move money from one account to another inside an organisation is Norman French and still used (and pursued) by people handling public accounts. I had virement at Ellenroad and the Borough Treasurer was very jealous!

[Cathy]

For some reason I thought of the phrase 'eckythump' today, looked it up and it means 'to be surprised'. Found that there was a Goodies sketch called School of Eckythump and the notes say that an audience member thought that it so funny he actually died laughing while watching the sketch. I watched the youtube video again, funny but not to die for.

[Tizer]

Mrs Tiz was likely to have laughing fits when watching the Goodies...she's never recovered completely from the time when one of them was supposed to have swallowed a foghorn and he emitted a loud booming sound every time he opened his mouth. It runs in the family, her mum had been just as incapable after watching Charlie Drake banging on drums that were full of milk.

[Stanley]

My mate Daniel used to get to the stage where he had what I call 'ingrowing laughter'. He made a sort of moaning noise as he breathed in between gales of laughing.

[Stanley]

'Fascinate'. From the Latin Fascinatare, to cast a spell, bewitch.

[Tizer]

Heard somebody calling a bad relative a `toerag' and began to wonder where that word comes from. Collins says it originally meant a beggar or tramp and came from the rags they wrapped around their feet.

[Tripps]

Read "Down and out in Paris and London" by George Orwell. The subject is well covered there as I recall. I like the term. It covers a wide spectrum, from naughty children to criminals, and is a useful non gender specific, non racial, and not too offensive term of abuse.

[Cathy]

Toe-rag is often used here in Oz. I would liken it to someone who doesn't want to conform, is sly, and very annoying/infuriating to others.

[Stanley]

I think I might be a bit slow.... I only realised yesterday that the word 'beware' is a contraction of 'Be aware'. Well, I got there in the end!

[chinatyke]

I think I might be a bit slow.... I only realised yesterday that the word 'beware' is a contraction of 'Be aware'. Well, I got there in the end!

Never thought about this before but you stimulated my interest.
Is it a contraction of be wary?
Not quite the same thing as be aware.
Aware means informed, whereas wary means being cautious.

Just looked it up in Collins English Dictionary and they agree with me.

[Stanley]

I managed to slip 'tergiversate' into a topic the other day. The act of changing ones mind or loyalties. I first came across it when I stumbled on a quote from Winston Churchill who informed another member of the House that he was something of an expert in tergiversation. From the Latin; to turn one's back.

[Tripps]

Must have missed it - you know it's been one of my favourite words for some time now.
It's competing lately with Borborygmus, first heard in a song (yes really ) then again in an episode of Doc Martin.

If you want proof listen here about 45 seconds in.
Freak Mountain

Memo to self - get out more. . .

[plaques]

Bobby Dazzler.

Someone who looks or dresses exceptionally well. But why "Bobby" ?
Does this refer back to Robert Peel and his Bobby's ?

[Tripps]

I've found my misplaced Cassells Slang Dictionary. Hooray. They say it is an intensification of the 19th century term bobby meaning smartly dressed or in high spirits. so no police link.

I thought it might be connected to 'Bob's your uncle' but seems not. Shame.

[Stanley]

All right.... tell us where that comes from seeing as you've found the dictionary!

[Tripps]

Ok then - I recently read a book about the history of the British in India, where it asserted quite authoritatively - it seemed - that the phrase related to General Roberts who was popular with his troops and known as Bobs.

Cassell however says it relates to the Tory leader Robert Cecil who appointed his nephew Arthur Balfour as Chief Secretary for Ireland in 1900. 'A decision that was both surprising and unpopular'.

As is often the case - take your pick.

[Stanley]

Brewster goes for Arthur Balfour......
Had another 'why didn't I know that' moment yesterday when I realised that 'Capital Punishment' originates from beheading. 'Capital' referring to the head, as in capital of a column.
Ever come across 'tanistry'? Evidently the successor to a Celtic chief was the Tanist. So the system of choosing/electing him was known as tanistry.

[Tripps]

The Irish Foreign Minister is known as the ' Tanaiste' perhaps this is connected, but this is what Tanist means to me.

Irish Derby winner 1940

[Tizer]

I've found my misplaced Cassells Slang Dictionary. Hooray.

Thanks for warning me - I'll expect your posts to be quite colourful from now on!

[Stanley]

Gaelic version of the same word David. Nice to see that the Celtic tribal system has left some echoes in Ireland.

[Tripps]

The word 'channel' is catching on amongst the political people. Andrew Neil has just remarked -
"Ed Milliband is going to channel Ronald Reagan"
Seems to have overtaken resile and redact as the word of the moment.
Later same day I read -
"Ed Miliband is about to channel his inner Eric Cantona "

[Stanley]

What does it mean?

[Tizer]

Come on Stanley, we're all supposed to pretend we know what it means!