Slave names

[Tom Zurinskas]

This thread of "slave names" comes close to a thread talking about "vernacular dialect".    Looking "vernacular" up shows that it means "slave".  See m-w.com
Main Entry: 1ver·nac·u·lar
Pronunciation: \və(r)-ˈna-kyə-lər\
Function: adjective   (not a noun? -tz)
Etymology: Latin vernaculus native, from verna slave born in the master's house, native
Date: 1601

My take on the definition of the term "vernacular dialect" is that it's more a specialized vocabulary than a pronunciation; e.g., police, hospitals, CB'ers, scientists.

Tom Zurinskas, USA - CT20, TN3, NJ33, FL5+
See truespel.com - and the 4 truespel books plus "Occasional Poems" at authorhouse.com.





> Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2007 06:59:09 -0800
> From: wuxxmupp2000 at YAHOO.COM
> Subject: Re: Slave names
> To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
>
> ---------------------- Information from the mail header -----------------------
> Sender: American Dialect Society
> Poster: Jonathan Lighter
> Subject: Re: Slave names
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Since none of us are quite old enough to remember the period in question, the perception that slaves were often given Classical names ("Caesar" and "Pompey" in particular) must come from books or films. Perhaps "assumption" would be a better word.
>
> Despite the proof that some slaves were indeed given these names, the few numbers I've seen don't indicate that they were actually "prevalent" at any time. There could have been a thousand more prosaically named slaves for every "Caesar."
>
> JL
>
>
> "Joel S. Berson"  wrote:
> ---------------------- Information from the mail header -----------------------
> Sender: American Dialect Society
> Poster: "Joel S. Berson"
> Subject: Re: Slave names
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> At 12/10/2007 05:19 PM, Jonathan Lighter wrote:
>>I wonder about the source of our stereotype that slaves were so
>>stereotypically named "Caesar" and "Pompey." Surely it comes from fiction?
>
> Jon, why do you say "stereotype ... from fiction", if Caesar and
> Pompey were so prevalent in the 18th century? (As I think they
> were.) Cato, of course, would not make a good stereotype for the
> docile, loyal slave.
>
> Joel
>
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