[Ads-l] ditty-bag etymology and dittis, manchester stuff

[Michael Quinion]

> OED has ditty bag from c1860; that can easily be antedated by some
> decades. Here, my interest is etymology.
> 
> "Etymology:  Origin obscure: according to Smyth Sailor's Word-bk. it
> 'derives its name from the dittis or Manchester stuff of which it was
> once made'; but no evidence of this is given, nor is anything known of
> the stuff alleged." 

This interested me also, following a question from a subscriber. I found a 
possible origin in an Indian term:

  http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-dit2.htm

--
Michael Quinion
World Wide Words
Web: http://www.worldwidewords.org

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