Ballerina, Escabeche, Pochero, Arroz a la Valencia (1770)

[James A. Landau]

In a message dated 06/10/2002 9:29:39 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
Bapopik at AOL.COM writes:

> Pg. 51:  ...Fidalgoe's_ and _Cavallero's_ invited them to drink the health
of
>  the _amables Baylarinas_ (_amiable she-dancers_) which they all did with
the
>  noblest freedom and alacrity...
>  (OED has 1792 for "ballerina"--ed.)

Is this Spanish or Portuguese?  "Fidalgoe" is obviously a variation of
Spanish "hidalgo", a contraction of "hijo de algo" (literally "son of
someone").  "ballerina" is from Italian "ballare", "to dance".  "Baylarina"
certainly appears to be from the corresponding Spanish word, which nowadays
is spelt "bailar".  Similar words, but from different languages, and
therefore different etymologies.


>  Pg. 85:  As I was loitering before that _Meson_ waiting for supper, a
parcel
>  of poor little girls came to look at the _Estrangero_.
>  (See past posts for "Meson--ed.)

"Meson" is not Castilian Spanish, which would be "casa".  It is close to
French "maison".  But "Estrangero" is phonetically what you would expect in
Castilian, whereas the French equivalent is "etrangere" (acute accent on
first "e").


>  Pg. 200:  A rite used in this temple, which is called _Mozarob_ or
>  _Mozarabick_, originally instituted by a bishop of Seville called St.
>  Isidore...
>  (OED has 1788 for "Mozarab"--ed.)

Even as late as 1770 I find it difficult for a Bishop of Seville instituting
a "Mozarab" rite.  And for that matter, where in Catholic Spain could you
find a "temple"?


>  Pg. 263:  At the estallages and posadas you will find in general no other
>  victuals, but a mess of _garavanzos_ and _judias_ (_dry chick-pease_ and
>  _French beans_) boiled in oil and water, with a strong dose of pepper, and
a
>  dish of _bacallao_ and _sardinas_ (_stock-fish_ and _pilchards_) seasoned
>  likewise with pepper and oil.

"judia" (there is an accent on the "i") must have an interesting etymology,
since it means both "Jewess" and "string bean".

      - Jim Landau