LL-L "Etymology" 2007.12.01 (08) [E]

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L O W L A N D S - L  -  01 December 2007 - Volume 08
Song Contest: lowlands-l.net/contest/ (- 31 Dec. 2007)
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From: Mark Dreyer <mrdreyer at lantic.net>
Subject: LL-L "Lexicon" 2007.12.01 (04) [E]

 Dear Ron:

Subject: L-Lowlands Lexicon

*Spood'* is most definitely the closest and most authentic equivalent of
German *Erfolg* and English "success," etc.

Just in case it may be pertinent may I note the Afrikaans 'voorspoed'? We
would say "Voorspoed toe!" where the English would be, "Wishing you every
success!"

I believe this idiom is a borrowing from sailing terminology, much like so
many in our Taal, like, "Die wind van voor..." = "getting a headwind..." for
obstacles in your path to success; "Die wind van agter..." = "getting a
following wind..." for the opposite, "... mooi van stapel gestuur." = "...
well launched." etc.

Yrs,
Mark

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

Thanks, Mark! Nice one!

Interesting notes on English "speed":

   1. Since the cognates in the sister languages have rounded vowels, I
   assume that "speed" < Old English *spéd* < *spǽd* came from umlauted *
   *spœd* (*/spööde/ < */spoode/), since English unrounded the front
   rounded vowels, first /ö(ö)/ > /ee/ (> Modern English /ii/), and later
   /ü(ü)/ (spelled *y*) > /i(i)/ (e.g., *kyning* > "king"). In fact, I
   found the spelling *spoed* for it in Old English.
   2. Please remember expressions such as "God's speed" that hail back to
   times when the semantic range of the word "speed" was wider. In fact, the
   *OED* gives these, besides the abiding meaning of "fastness":
      - (obsolete) *abundance*; e.g.,
      *He us æt ƽiefeð, & æhta sped, welan ofer widlond.* (*Cynewulf*,
      900)
      *Of euerilc ouƺt, of euerilc sed, Was erðe mad moder of sped* (*Genesis
      & Exodus*, 1250)
      - (obsolete) *power, might*, e.g.,
      *Þonne syndon on þyssum Simone twa speda, mannes & deofles.*(971)
      - (archaic, but still used in Scots) *success, prosperity, good
      fortune; profit, advancement, furtherance*; e.g.,
      *Successus, spoed* (725)
      *He ah æt wiƽ**ƽe sped, si**ƽor æt sæcce.* (*Cynewulf*, 900)
      - *success, fortune, lot*, e.g.,
      *Ʒet ic wene I can a red, ðat hem sal bringen iwel sped.* (*Genesis
      & Exodus*, 1250)
      - (obsolete) *assistance, aid, help*, e.g.,
      *And ðat may be thurgh helpe and spede Of prayer of frendes and
      almusdede.* (1340)
      - (obsolete) *one who, or that which, promotes success or
      prosperity*, e.g.,
      *Of **ð**e rode now for to rede, ihesus criste he be mi spede.*(1375)
      *
      *

So "speed" in the sense of "velocity" seems to have developed from the idea
of "speed toward success."

Mark, please say "Hi!" from me to Ruth. I hope she's all right.

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron
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