LL-L "Etymology" 2002.07.24 (05) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

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 L O W L A N D S - L * 24.JUL.2002 (05) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
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 LS=Low Saxon (Low German) S=Scots Sh=Shetlandic Z=Zeelandic (Zeeuws)
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From: "Jorge Potter" <jorgepot at caribe.net>
Subject: LL-L "Etymology" 2002.07.24 (01) [E]

Dear Lowlander blokes,

As an American I always loved such deprecating terms as "bloke" that
weren't in my own dialect.

OED and Farmer quote the first usage in English as 1851, but have no
suggestion for its origin.

Eric Partridge hazards the guess that it came via the underworld from
the
Dutch "blok," which at that time meant a fool in addition to its modern
meanings. If this is true, y'all should be able to dig up some examples
in
your own speech.

Jorge Potter

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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Etymology

Jorge,

> Dear Lowlander blokes,

And what about the other approximate half, the "Lowlands sheilahs," to
use the Australian terminology?

Cheers!
Reinhard/Ron

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From: "David Elsworth" <david_elsworth at hotmail.com>
Subject: LL-L "Etymology" 2002.07.24 (01) [E]

Dear Reinhard / Leeglanners,

I have tried to find the origins of the word ,"bloke," in three
different
dictionaries, but each time I have been thwarted as each dictionary
declares its origin as unknown.

However, in one dictionary, bloke was used as a reference to a commander
of
a ship, whilst another dictionary said it was used as a term to describe
ones superior, although in a slightly disrespectful manner. This would
tie
in with the meaning of commander, but only in the context of discussion
amongst a ship's crew.

The dictionary indicates that the use of the word 'bloke' - meaning
commander - is indicated to have been in usage in the period of 1910 to
1915. It would be interesting to guess where the British Navy would have
been sailing to during that period in the possibility that the Navy
could
have picked up the word whilst on their overseas travels, which would
not
necessarily restrict the word ( and its origins ) to usage in Britain
and
its colonies, such as Australia, etc.

Regards

David Elsworth.

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From: "David Elsworth" <david_elsworth at hotmail.com>
Subject: LL-L "Etymology" 2002.07.24 (01) [E]

From: Sandy Fleming [sandy at scotstext.org]
Subject: "Etymology"

> From: Gary Taylor <gary_taylor_98 at yahoo.com>
> Subject: Etymology
>
> Dear All
>
> The word listed in the Lowlands Swadesh list for
> Nottingham 'man' is 'bloke'; also current in Estuary.
> Quickie questions - Is 'bloke' common in all British
> Englishes and Scots? - is it also used outside Britain
> (or only as a perculiarly British word)? - what's its
> etymology (it's not included in my etymology
> dictionary)? No special reason for my questions, just
> pure interest!

"Bloke" isn't used in Scots at all. I don't think you'd here
it in Scottish English either.

Scots equivalents of this word are "cheil" (which is from
"child") and fellae or fallow (equivalent to English fellow).

"Chap" has also been used in the south of Scotland as a slang
word since at least Victorian times (in Northumbrian this
would be "chep", I think).

Sandy
http://scotstext.org
A dinna dout him, for he says that he
On nae accoont wad ever tell a lee.
                          - C.W.Wade,
                    'The Adventures o McNab'

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