Picnic: Killing Slaves?

[Gregory {Greg} Downing]

I have to confess that I've never heard this particular bit of
folk-etymology before, but in pondering it just now, it suddenly struck me
how it may have come about. Put aside the actual etymology, which few people
are aware of anyway. Then re-analyze "picnic," Horne Tooke style, as if it
were a combination of English words, and see what you come up with.

I hope this is not too oblique an explanation.


Greg Downing/NYU, at greg.downing at nyu.edu or gd2 at is2.nyu.edu