LL-L "Etymology" 2008.04.05 (06) [E]

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L O W L A N D S - L  - 05 April 2008 - Volume 06
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From: Theo Homan <theohoman at yahoo.com>
Subject: LL-L "Etymology" 2008.04.05 (04) [E]

> From: Ingmar Roerdinkholder
> <ingmar.roerdinkholder at WORLDONLINE.NL>
> Subject: LL-L "Etymology" 2008.04.05 (03) [D/E]
>
> In Dutch, we have "lak" = lacquer, varnish (Dutch
> has "vernis", too),
> but not the second meaning. But might the second
> "lack" have anything to
> do with Dutch "lek" = E. leak, and/or German "Loch"
> = hole. Leaks and
> holes are a kind of omissions and defects as wel,
> aren't they?
>
> Ingmar

Hi,

cf. Dutch: laken / laakbaar.

vr.gr.
Theo Homan

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From: Luc Hellinckx <luc.hellinckx at gmail.com>
Subject: LL-L "Etymology"

Beste Ron,

Je schreef:

There are two Low Saxon nouns* lak* (*Lack*):

  1. lacquer, varnish
  2. lack, omission, fault, defect, blemish


They both exist in Dutch, but the second meaning is seldom used. The
associated verb "laken" on the other hand is pretty popular, meaning "to
condemn". There's even a third meaning for "lak", "deceit", which can be
found in an expression like "Daar heb ik lak aan" (I couldn't care less) and
also in the term "volksverlakkerij" (deception of the public). This lak <
French "lacs", snare, trap (cognate with "lasso" and German "Latz").

Inspired by "Er was laatst een meisje loos" ~ "loose woman", maybe the core
meaning is "slack, laks (D)", either litterally used for a piece of rope,
lasso, or spiritually for a lax mind that "lacks" moral integrity.

In Brabantish, slack, can be observed as "slook": "A lèè slook", said of a
machine that doesn't function anymore and also in the verb "oëtslokken":
"Majn schoene slokken oët", which is said of shoes/slippers with an open
heel, only hanging loosely on to the tip of the feet. A coward is called "ne
lasj" < Fr. lâche.

Kind greetings,

Luc Hellinckx

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From: Jacqueline Bungenberg de Jong <Dutchmatters at comcast.net>
Subject: LL-L "Etymology" 2008.04.05 (03) [D/E]

1.      lacquer, varnish

2.      lack, omission, fault, defect, blemish

Kumpelmenten,
Reinhard/Ron

Hello Jonny, Ron and Wim. After much moaning and sighing about the loss of
limberness (probably due to age and/or decrepitude) of the content of the
old noggin, I have come up with the Dutch equivalent. It is "Zonder kraak of
smaak" . It seems that that saying also points at the fact that the meat was
boiled, not roasted to a crisp and that the cook forgot to add, salt,
pepper, onion, garlic, bay leaves and other herbs to the pot. Have a nice
weekend, Jacqueline
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