LL-L "Etymology" 2004.07.06 (07) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

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L O W L A N D S - L * 06.JUL.2004 (07) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
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A=Afrikaans Ap=Appalachian B=Brabantish D=Dutch E=English F=Frisian
L=Limburgish LS=Lowlands Saxon (Low German) N=Northumbrian
S=Scots Sh=Shetlandic V=(West)Flemish Z=Zeelandic (Zeêuws)
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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Etymology

Sandy listed the following Scots phrases under "Idiomatica":

> years on end: 'many years'
> months on end: 'many months'
> weeks on end: 'many weeks'
> days on end: 'many days'
> oors on end: 'many hours'

Of course, "on end" in this sense is used in English as well, probably
denoting "an endless string of" or "endless" originally.

I often think about this and wonder if this "on" is unrelated to the usual
word "on," if it is related to Lowlands Saxon (Low German) _aan_ and German
_ohne_, meaning 'without'.  In LS you can say _aan end_ also, meaning
"without end," 'endless(ly)', German _endlos_ (also _ohne Ende_).

Of course, then this particular "on end" would have a different origin from
that of "on end" as in "My hair(s) stood at end."

I can find nothing in etymological notes and in Old English that would
support this.  However, "on end" in the sense of "without end" seems a bit
strange, doesn't it?

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron

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