LL-L: "Etymology" [E] LOWLANDS-L, 21.AUG.1999 (02)

[Sandy Fleming]

 =========================================================================
 L O W L A N D S - L * 21.AUG.1999 (02) * ISSN 1089-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
 Posting Address: <lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org>
 Web Site: <http://www.geocities.com/~sassisch/rhahn/lowlands/>
 User's Manual: <http://www.lsoft.com/manuals/1.8c/userindex.html>
 =========================================================================
 A=Afrikaans, Ap=Appalachean, D=Dutch, E=English, F=Frisian, L=Limburgish
 LS=Low Saxon (Low German), S=Scots, Sh=Shetlandic
 =========================================================================
 You have received this because your account has been subscribed upon
 request. To unsubscribe, please send the command "signoff lowlands-l"
 as message text from the same account to
 <listserv at listserv.linguistlist.org> or sign off at
 <http://linguistlist.org/subscribing/sub-lowlands-l.html>.
 =========================================================================

From: Lee [glent at troi.csw.net]
Subject: "Etymology"

>
>From: John M. Tait [jmtait at jmt.prestel.co.uk]
>Subject: "Etymology"
>
>Ron wrote:
>
> When I started living in the US I
>>was constantly amazed about what I then considered excessive prudishness.
>I
>>wasn't even allowed to use the word 'hell' , nor 'ass' in polite company
>...
>
>In Scots, the word is 'erse'. The story goes that the Aberdeen numberplate
>registration was due to change to ARS, but some (presumably not local)
>official person decided that this would be offensive, so it was changed to
>ERS instead...
>
>John M. Tait.
>

Ron's right.  One is not supposed to use 'hell' or 'ass' in polite company,
in the office, or out in public anywhere.  Of course American fowks do use
these words quite often, when we're mad as (bleep). It's just that our
society says were not supposed too!

And concerning the word 'erse' or 'ass', didn't that term used to mean a
beast of burden, like the good ol' donkey or was it a term just used for a
mule?  Also, when did this word obtain it's meaning of a human's backside!!

If my pastor knew I was asking about the etymology of this word, for me,
there would be H--to pay!!

he he!!

Dooglas the Dougger!!

That's dithpiccable!!


From: Sandy Fleming [sandy at fleimin.demon.co.uk]
Subject: "Etymology"

Hey Doog!

"Erse" (or English "arse") didn't used to mean a beast of burden, rather the
"ass" is a feature of English West Country speech carried to America by
early settlers - the dropping of "r" before "s" can also be seen in words
like "cuss" (curse) and "hoss" (horse), found in both English West Country
and American speech.

Sandy Fleming
http:\\www.fleimin.demon.co.uk

==================================END======================================
 * Please submit contributions to <lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org>.
 * Contributions will be displayed unedited in digest form.
 * Please display only the relevant parts of quotes in your replies.
 * Commands for automated functions (including "signoff lowlands-l") are
   to be sent to <listserv at listserv.linguistlist.org> or at
   <http://linguistlist.org/subscribing/sub-lowlands-l.html>.
 * Please use only Plain Text format, not Rich Text (HTML) or any other
   type of format, in your submissions
 =========================================================================