LL-L "Etymology" 2005.09.05 (03) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

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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: Críostóir Ó Ciardha <paada_please at yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: LL-L "Delectables" 2005.09.04 (04) [E]

Ron wrote:
"Related to this is _klaks_ (, cf. German _Klecks_, Dutch _klodder_)
denoting a spot or stain, such as on clothing or on a tablecloth."

I use the word _claggy_ to describe muck of any sort clinging to something.
I don't think it's Nottingham English, Cornish English or Derry English /
Scots in origin. I think I picked it up from my Australian wife. The root is
clearly *_clag_, although this is not used in English as a noun to my
knowledge.

Go raibh maith agat,

Criostóir.

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

Thanks, Críostóir.

I'm familiar with Australian "claggy" but never connected it with the Low
Saxon words.

The OED:

<quote>
CLAG, v.
[Not traced beyond the 15th c.: perh. of Norse origin, cf. Da. _klag_,
_klagge_, sticky mud, clay, _klæg_, _klæget_ viscous, glutinous, sticky,
which point to the same origin as OE. _clæg_, CLAY. There may have been some
subseq. association with _clog_; but in localities where _clag_ is
indigenous, it is kept quite distinct from _clog_.]
    1. trans. To bedaub (the clothes), clot (the hair) with anything sticky
and tenacious, as miry clay, glue, toffee, etc.
</quote>

<quote>
CLAG, n. [northern dial.]
[app. f. the verb.]
    1. The process or product of clagging; a sticky mass adhering to feet or
clothes, entangled in hair, or the like; a clot of wool consolidated with
dirt about the hinder parts of a sheep, etc.
</quote>

<quote>
CLAGGOK [Sc. Obs.]
[f. CLAG + -OCK.]
   One clagged with mire, ‘a draggle-tail’ (Jam.).
</quote>

<quote>
CLAGGUM [north. dial.]
[f. CLAG v.]
    A common name in Scotland and the north of England for treacle-toffee.
</quote>

<quote>
CLAGGY, a.
[f. CLAG + -Y.]
    Tending to clag, or to form sticky lumps or clots; tenaciously sticky,
adhesive. Hence clagginess.
</quote>

Perhaps this group of words has been hanging around in Australian for longer
because of its connection with sheep.

I wonder if Low Saxon _klakkern_ and _klaks_ are of onomatopoetic origin --
something like "splat."

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron

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