LL-L "Morphology" 2007.11.12 (08) [E]

[Lowlands-L List]

L O W L A N D S - L  -  12 November 2007 - Volume 08
Song Contest: lowlands-l.net/contest/ (- 31 Dec. 2007)
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From: Kevin & Cheryl Caldwell <kevin.caldwell1963 at verizon.net>
Subject: LL-L "Morphology" 2007.11.12 (01) [E]

I'm not convinced this –s is an American thing. Don't the British refer to
Prince William as Wills? I've never heard anyone in the US call a William
"Wills". I am familiar with Babs and Pops, though.

There's also the –sy ending, as in Patsy (for Patricia) or Bugsy (I've never
been sure where "Bugsy" comes from though).

Also, Ron, I wouldn't necessarily call the –ster or –meister endings
"derisive".  They can also be affectionate.

There was a skit on Saturday Night Live featuring a recurring character who
referred to everybody in the office by adding various endings to their
names. It wasn't derisive, but the character was supposed to be annoying
because he was getting overly familiar with everyone. Someone would walk in,
and he'd greet them with something like, "It's Dave! Dave-meister! [pause]
The Davester! [pause] Coming to use the copier! [longer pause]
Dave-o-rama!..."

Kevin Caldwell

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From: heatherrendall at tiscali.co.uk <heatherrendall at tiscali.co.uk>
Subject: LL-L "Morphology" 2007.11.12 (06) [E]

Ron wrote: "This made me think about -s (/-z/) as ... let's say a "marker of
endearment."

I think you're right and it is a way in which a name can be softened and
made more appealing. Certainly my mother called my sister Margaret "Babs"
whenever the mood was good or better - so not just a shortened version of
Barbara! 'Mags' is what my other sister tends to say in similar 'fond'
moments.

It is certainly gentler than the universal --zza that one meets nowadays

Shazza << Sharon

Gazza << Gary

Mazza (Martin? Matthew? even MIchael?) , Lazza ( Larry? any name beginning
with L? ) etc often shortened to Shaz / Gazz/ Mazz/ Lazz etc

Note that the names do not need a medial s/z to change

I must admit to finding the latter fairly grating because ugly-sounding.
Whereas the -s suffix sounds 'sweet'!

Not that it suits all names, eh Rons?

Ronnie it has to be!

best wishes from

Hezza ( how the French pronounce my name)

H ( pronounced 'aitch')

Rendall

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From: R. F. Hahn < sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Morphology

Thanks, Kevs and ... Hea ... Heath... er ...

Indeed, Kevin. This *-s* must go back to British English. Heather's examples
above show that, as does your Wills.

(William Shakespeare called himself Will and seemed to have preferred others
calling him that. I wonder if he was already called Wills by friends and
relatives. I searched in records about his life and wills, and in all the
stuff Garry Wills wrote about Will. But ... zilch so far.)

I think that the *-sy* ending pay be proof. I assume it's this *-s* with an
added diminutive *-y* (~ *-ie*), such as in (mum >) "mumsy," (Patricia >)
"Patsy" and (Elizabeth >) "Betsy." This seems distinctly feminine to me. I
don't think I would consider calling a Patrick "Patsy" ... unless, of
course, he was a patsy.

Also, Ron, I wouldn't necessarily call the –ster or –meister endings
"derisive".  They can also be affectionate.

Oh, I agree. That's why I referred to it as "derisive affection marker." But
that doesn't sound to great. How do you make "affectionately teasing" sound
like a scientific term?

Hezza, Babs from Margaret? You kiddin' me? Are you sure this happened
outside your family as well?

Oh, and Kevin, that guy from Saturday Night Live is one of my characters at
work. ("The Chuckster making copies for the Lisa-rama!") He comes out when I
want to be more obnoxious than usual. Aren't you glad you don't have to
endure me in person, bradda?

Reinhard/Ron
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