LL-L "Etymology" 2009.06.25 (02) [EN]

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L O W L A N D S - L - 25 June 2009 - Volume 02
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From: Hellinckx Luc <luc.hellinckx at gmail.com>
Subject: LL-L "Etymology"

Beste Ron,
You wrote:

Low Saxon has cognates of *skobbejak*: *Schubbjack ~ Schubbejack ~
Schubberjack* 'rascal', 'scoundrel', 'scallywag'. I can't figure out its
etymology.


Just an onset.

There seem to be at least two theories, but they probably converge. The
somewhat more official line sees "schobbejak" (D), "schubjack" (Saxon) as
"schobben" + "jak". The verb "schobben" ( ~ scab, scabies) means "to rub".
Note that "schubjack" is also a pole in the middle of a treeless meadow,
used by cattle with an itch. "Jak" = "Jack, jacket" < jaque (generic name
for a French medieval peasant > diminutive for the blouse he wore).

Schuwjack < szuja (Polish for a villain), suffix created in analogy with
"swienjack" (same meaning).

And then there's the Brabantish pronunciation with a long vowel "schobejak"
(not "schobbejak"). The word also denotes a tight fitting blouse made of a
very coarse fabric that was primarily used by longshoremen (dockers) and was
worn on top. This "schobe" goes back to Middle Dutch "schabbe/schobbe":
shabby ;=) smock.

Kind greetings,

Luc Hellinckx, Halle

•

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