LL-L "Etymology" 2002.07.19 (03) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

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 L O W L A N D S - L * 19.JUL.2002 (03) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
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 A=Afrikaans Ap=Appalachian D=Dutch E=English F=Frisian L=Limburgish
 LS=Low Saxon (Low German) S=Scots Sh=Shetlandic Z=Zeelandic (Zeeuws)
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From: Stan Levinson <stlev99 at yahoo.com>
Subject: LL-L "Etymology" 2002.07.19 (02) [E]

Ron et al.,
Here's what the online version of the Macquarie
(Australia) dictionary says for 'punnet':
 1. a small, shallow container, as for strawberries.
2. a shallow rectangular pot used for growing
seedlings. [diminutive of British dialect pun POUND2]
Stan

> From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
> Subject: Etymology
>
> Sandy, Lowlanders,
>
> Yesterday I responded regarding "punnet" (a small
> container --
> originally probably a basket -- for berries, etc.),
> and I said that it
> is not only used in Scotland but also in common use
> in Australia and New
> Zealand:
>
> > According to the _Oxford Dictionary_, the origin
> of the word is
> > unclear ([Of obscure origin: perh. f. _pun_, dial.
> for POUND n.1
> > + ET.]).
>
> > So, perhaps it came from Scots (or Northumbrian)
> *_pun(d)_ 'pound'
> > and came to be extended diminutively to _punnet_
> ("little pound"),
> > analogously to "pun" > (arch./obs.) "punnet"
> (little pun).  Just a
> > theory.  Given very strong Scottish representation
> in Australia,
> > the word would have been taken directly downunder
> (i.e., not via
> > England).
>
> Interestingly, I could not find the word in the
> _Chambers Concise Scots
> Dictionary_.  (Yes, I did look for alternative
> spelling. Perhaps not far
> enough?)  Could that mean that mean that _punnet_ is
> not Scots but comes
> from Scottish English, from Northumbrian or from
> certain English
> dialects?
>
> Regards,
> Reinhard/Ron

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