LL-L 'Etymology' 2006.07.04 (05) [E]

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L O W L A N D S - L * 04 July 2006 * Volume 05
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From: 'Global Moose Translations' <globalmoose at t-online.de>
Subject: LL-L 'Etymology' 2006.07.04 (02) [E]

Henry wrote:
> Now, I wonder if this really has something to do with "wire" or originally
meant
> something different. Or could it have something to do with _draad'_ ~
_dra_ (<
> _drade_) 'quick(ly)', 'prompt(ly)', 'immediate(ly)', '(very) soon'? If so,
> perhaps the original version of the idiomatic expression was without the
article
> after all.
>
> By what does _draod_ mean in Henry's neck of the woods and there abouts?
>
>Thread, fiber, wire. I still think that the most obvious explanation
>(tall thin people) is the best.

I think the expression "schwer auf Draht sein" stems from the times of early
telegraphs and designates a good morse code operator.

Gabriele Kahn

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