LL-L "Etymology" 2002.09.15 (04) [E]
Lowlands-L
admin at lowlands-l.net
Mon Sep 16 00:49:10 UTC 2002
======================================================================
L O W L A N D S - L * 15.SEP.2002 (04) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
Web Site: <http://www.lowlands-l.net> Email: admin at lowlands-l.net
Rules & Guidelines: <http://www.lowlands-l.net/rules.htm>
Posting Address: <lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org>
Server Manual: <http://www.lsoft.com/manuals/1.8c/userindex.html>
Archive: <http://listserv.linguistlist.org/archives/lowlands-l.html>
=======================================================================
You have received this because have 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>.
=======================================================================
A=Afrikaans Ap=Appalachian B=Brabantish D=Dutch E=English F=Frisian
L=Limburgish LS=Lowlands Saxon (Low German) S=Scots Sh=Shetlandic
V=(West)Flemish Z=Zeelandic (Zeêuws)
=======================================================================
From: erek gass <egass at caribline.com>
Subject: LL-L "Etymology" 2002.09.15 (02) [E]
This is an easy one, and shews the importance of pop culture. A very
popular cartoon cat appeared in American newspapers (I believe it was around
the turn of the century, but don't hold me to the year) was named Tom Cat.
He was SO popular in fact that the term, "tomcat", came quickly to be
applied to all male house cats.
If you're further curious about related words, prior to "tomcat", male cats
were called "ram cats". Female house cats were then (and now) called
"queens".
And when did male turkeys come to be called "toms"? Well, that one I don't
know. But the females are called "hens" just the same as female chickens.
Erek Gass
==================================END===================================
* Please submit postings to <lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org>.
* Postings 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
=======================================================================
More information about the LOWLANDS-L
mailing list