LL-L "Etymology" 2008.02.15 (01) [E]

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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 (Zeeuws)

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L O W L A N D S - L - 15 February 2008 - Volume 01
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From: Ronald Veenker <veenker at atmc.net>
Subject: Etymology

Ron and all,

This may be too trite for comment, but I have always wondered about the
"lowlands" idiom that has crept into US speech:  "to ret up" meaning
(in my family's usage) "to quickly straighten up" a room or part of a
house.  My first wife was Ostfries on both sides of her parental line
and they used the expression when they weren't speaking Ostfries
straightaway.  My current wife is black Irish on both sides and they
use the same expression.  Now, indeed, they are from Pittsburgh PA and
this may reflect what is referred to as "Pennsylvania Dutch" influence.

What is the Low Saxon root of this expression or am I completely wrong
in my thinking about it?  Is it related to HD "aufraffen"?

Thanks all,

Ron Veenker

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

Hi, Ron!

I have no idea where this term might have originated. Something related to *
redig* 'finished', 'ready', springs to mind perhaps.

Reinhard/Ron

P.S.: I wonder why Americans of Eastern Friesland background like to call
themselves by the *German*-derived name *Ostfries*, not even by the native
Low Saxon name *Oostfrees*, leave alone perfectly fine English "East
Frisian" or "Eastern Friesland ..." What is it with them? *Hello!*

•

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