LL-L "Etymology" 2004.09.08 (07) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

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L O W L A N D S - L * 08.SEP.2004 (07) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
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A=Afrikaans Ap=Appalachian B=Brabantish D=Dutch E=English F=Frisian
L=Limburgish LS=Lowlands Saxon (Low German) N=Northumbrian
S=Scots Sh=Shetlandic V=(West)Flemish Z=Zeelandic (Zeêuws)
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From: Global Moose Translations <globalmoose at t-online.de>
Subject: Etymology

Dear all,

there is one word in the English langauge that has puzzled me for years,
because I have no idea where it comes from and what it is really supposed to
mean, although I more or less know what it designates.

 The word is "varsity", and it seems to be used for the No. 1 sports teams
of schools and universities. There is no German equivalent, of course, since
German schools and universities do not have sports teams.

Is there a similar word in other Lowlands languages? Is "varsity" used for
anything else in the English language? And what's the etymology? My best
guess is that it could be of Latin origin, but beyond that I have no idea.

Anyone?

Gabriele Kahn

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