LL-L 'Etymology' 2006.08.08 (01) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

======================================================================
L O W L A N D S - L * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
http://www.lowlands-l.net * lowlands-l at lowlands-l.net
Rules & Guidelines: http://www.lowlands-l.net/index.php?page=rules
Posting: lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org or lowlands-l at lowlands-l.net
Commands ("signoff lowlands-l" etc.): listserv at listserv.net
Server Manual: http://www.lsoft.com/manuals/1.8c/userindex.html
Archives: http://listserv.linguistlist.org/archives/lowlands-l.html
Encoding: Unicode (UTF-8) [Please switch your view mode to it.]
=======================================================================
You have received this because you have been subscribed upon request.
To unsubscribe, please send the command "signoff lowlands-l" as message
text from the same account to listserv at listserv.linguistlist.org or
sign off at http://linguistlist.org/subscribing/sub-lowlands-l.html.
=======================================================================
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 (Zeeuws)
=======================================================================

L O W L A N D S - L * 09 August 2006 * Volume 01
======================================================================

From: 'Frank' <frank.verhoft at skynet.be>
Subject: Etymology

Dear list members,

For my new blog entry, I'm kind of exploring the etymology of 'dope'
("performance-enhancing substance"). What I found so far triggered two
questions. Well, it is rather two technical questions disguised as a query
about etymology.

It is widely accepted that E 'dope' is a loan from Dutch 'doop', and that it
originally meant 'gravy'. It gained a large amount of secundary and extra
technical meanings both in Dutch and in English.

One of them I found in Van Dale Etymologisch woordenboek:
"doop [sauce, gravy, but in the meaning of a lubricating liquid, and more
specially a mixture of tar, resin, oil, gunpowder for _fireworks_". I am not
an expert in the field at all, but it looks more like napalm to me. Anybody
here with pyrotechnical skills who can help me out?

The second problem I don't understand concerns dope used in horse races, a
mixture based upon _opium_ and other narcotics. I thought opium was mainly a
sedative, and not something that could be used to stimulate the performance
of a racing horse.

Any help would be highly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,

Frank
[Verhoft]

==============================END===================================
* Please submit postings to lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org.
* Postings will be displayed unedited in digest form.
* Please display only the relevant parts of quotes in your replies.
* Commands for automated functions (including "signoff lowlands-l") are
  to be sent to listserv at listserv.linguistlist.org or at
  http://linguistlist.org/subscribing/sub-lowlands-l.html.
======================================================================