LINGUIST cross-post: Origin of Pot 'Cannabis'

[Jonathan Lighter]

Laurence Horn <laurence.horn at YALE.EDU> wrote:---------------------- Information from the mail header -----------------------
Sender: American Dialect Society
Poster: Laurence Horn
Subject: LINGUIST cross-post: Origin of Pot 'Cannabis'
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Looks like this should be up someone's alley; I can't check on what
HDAS says for alphabetic reasons. The OED does give "potiguaya" as
the source, as claimed, although "influenced" by the main entry for
_pot_. I would think alternate sources (as it were) for "pot" as
well as additional info on "potiguaya" would be welcome.

As usual, replies should go to the poster, Mr. Wheeler, as well as to the list.

Larry
--- begin forwarded text


LINGUIST List: Vol-16-2785. Tue Sep 27 2005. ISSN: 1068 - 4875.

Subject: 16.2785, Qs: Origin of Pot 'Cannabis'; Movement to SpecIP


Date: 27-Sep-2005
From: Max Wheeler < m.w.wheeler at sussex.ac.uk >
Subject: Origin of Pot 'Cannabis'


The Oxford English Dictionary s.v. POT n.5 says 'prob. f. Mexican Sp.
_potiguaya_ marijuana leaves'. Many English language websites tell the same
story, some giving the supposed variant Spanish forms _potaguaya_ or
_potacion de guaya_.

I have so far found no evidence that _potiguaya_, _potaguaya_ or _potacion
de guaya_ are in fact used in Spanish. I would be interested to know of any
evidence that any of these expressions is used in any variety of Spanish.
If any of them is used, I would also like to know the meaning.


--- end forwarded text



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