[Lexicog] A folk-etymology

[Rudolph Troike]

Someone a few days ago (pardon, I've forgotten who) mentioned the Spanish
word "paracaidas" ("parachute"), and etymologized the "para" as the
preposition meaning "for" ("caida" is "fall"), citing "paraguas" ("umbrella")
as a parallel ("for water").

I had always folk-etymologized the "para" part the same way myself, and just
happened to learn from a student recently that it is actually the verb
"parar" ("to stop, prevent, hinder"). Checking the online OED for "parachute",
I found that the "para" part here is from the same source, and the "chute" is
cognate with the Spanish "caida".

      Live and learn,

      Rudy Troike





------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> 
Everything you need is one click away.  Make Yahoo! your home page now.
http://us.click.yahoo.com/AHchtC/4FxNAA/yQLSAA/HKE4lB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~-> 

 
Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lexicographylist/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
    lexicographylist-unsubscribe at yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/