LL-L "Etymology" 2006.01.03 (02) [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 * 03 January 2006 * Volume 02
=======================================================================

From: heather rendall <HeatherRendall at compuserve.com>
Subject: LL-L "Literature" 2005.01.02 (04) [LS]

Message text written by INTERNET:lowlands-l at LOWLANDS-L.NET
>Groytens to myn Macker<

Greetings to my ......... ?
Is this the same as Geordie 'Macker' = mate, friend?
(not sure how Geordie spells it)
Heather

Happy New Year from Worcester

----------

From: R. F. Hahn
Subject: Etymology

And a happy 2006 to you, Heather.

Indeed, indeed!  It *is* the very word with exactly the meaning you 
mentioned.  It is used in Low Saxon (_Macker_, _makker_), in Missingsch 
(_Macker_, _Maggä_) and also in Dutch (_makker_).

Isn't it also _marra_ in Geordie?

So, what about the etymology and the connections?  It seems to be a mystery, 
to some degree at least.  What do Dutch dictionaries say?  The _Oxford 
English Dictionary_ lists "macker" only as an Australianism denoting 'new 
recruit', 'greenhorn', 'newby', etc., and assumes it is based on "mac" 
derived from (Italian _mac(c)arone_ > Middle French _macaron_ >) "macaroon" 
in the sense of 'buffoon', 'blockhead', 'dolt', etc., also 'fob'.  There is 
no mention of Northumbrian.

Might the connection go back to "Flemish" garment workers in Britain or, 
perhaps more likely, to Continental workers in the Toon's (i.e., 
Newcastle's) steel industry?

Aye, it's a mystery, ye knaa. But there ought te be a git juicy story bheend 
it, summat te dee wi the "ordinary" Jo an his unwritten language. Glenn, 
dyer knaa owt aboot the story o "macker" (an "marra") in yer neck o the 
woods, kiddah?

Reinhard/Ron 

==============================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.
======================================================================