[Ads-l] 1783 proposed etymology of quiz

[James Eric Lawson]

Despite having asked to be subscribed to Comments on Etymology, I don't 
have the "two ... items" to read, but here is a different explanation of 
the origin offered not quite two years later:

1785  *Dunlap and Claypoole’s American Daily Advertiser* (Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania) 3 May 2/2 (newspapers.com)  A smart man is now called a 
pink, and a modest man in grave attire a *quiz*. The word *quiz* was of 
Cambridge origin, from the Latin adage, *vir bonus est quis*, &c. it 
grew in disuse for a confiderable time, but is now revived by the 
celebrated military critic, and admitted into his catalogue of catch words.

https://www.newspapers.com/article/dunlap-and-claypooles-american-daily-ad/132766293/



On 10/1/23 17:38, Cohen, Gerald Leonard wrote:
> Hi all,
> 
> Stephen, Pascal Tréguer already noticed the 1783 quote, and here now are two bibliographic items on the etymology of quiz:
> 1.  Pascal Tréguer and Gerald Cohen:  Possible origin of
> 
>       18th century quiz (person of peculiar or ridiculous appearance)
> 
>        Comments on Etymology, April 2019, vol. 48, no. 7, pp. 2-25.
> 
> 
>   2. Gerald Cohen:  QUIZ – How did its meaning change from someone or something ridiculous to informal test? Comments on Etymology, Oct. 2020, vol. 50, no. 1, pp. 2-4.
> 
> 
> I am sending a copy of this to Pascal in case he wishes to comment
> 
> on it  He deserves the major credit for our April 19 COE issue.
> 
> And btw (for all ads-l readers) Pascal's very interesting online blog is https://wordhistories.net<https://wordhistories.net/>
> 
> 
> Best. -- Jerry
> 
> ________________________________
>   Stephen Goranson <goranson at DUKE.EDU> wrote, October 1, 2023 3:22 PM:
> 
> "....a number of the Scholars [at Harrow] seeing that they were strangers, =
> had gathered about them, calling them ludicrous names, such as bucks, blood=
> s, and quizzes [quizzes in italics], which latter was explained by Mr. Bear=
> croft, as the cant word of the school for the year, being an abbreviation o=
> f the words [italic next two:] quere phizzes, and that the Defendants had p=
> ulled the hair of the Plaintiffs, spit upon them, and otherwise ill treated=
>   them..."
> Stamford Mercury, Thurs. June 19, 1783, p.3 c.3. Gale.
> Also reported in a GB book as 1783.
> 
> SG
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org

-- 
James Eric Lawson

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The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org