LL-L "Etymology" 2007.07.28 (05) [E]

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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 (Zeeuws)

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L O W L A N D S - L  -  28 July 2007 - Volume 01

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From: Kevin and Cheryl Caldwell <kevin.caldwell1963 at verizon.net>
Subject: LL-L "Etymology" 2007.07.27 (04) [D/E]

"Sot" may have meant "a foolish person" at one time, but these days it only
refers to a chronic drunkard, and "besotted" means "drunk".  I've never
heard them used any other way, and I'm totally unfamiliar with the verb "to
sot".

Kevin Caldwell

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

I further guess that *zot* is related to English "sot" (a foolish person) as
well as "besotted" (smitten, infatuated), and a few Low Saxon have *Sot* in
the sense of 'fool' also.  And there's the English verb "to sot" (to make a
fool [of someone]).  Apparently, these come from Old French *sot* (fem. *
sote* ) which is on unknown origin.

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron
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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Etymology

That's apparently correct, Kevin. The meaning "fool" is older (attested
since 1000) and now largely obsolete. The meaning "drunkard" (OED "One who
dulls or stupefies himself with drinking; one who commonly or habitually
drinks to excess; a soaker") is attested since 1592 ("The Danes are
bursten-bellied sots, that are to be confuted with nothing but Tankards or
quart pots." ...).

I understand that nowadays it's still a matter of dialect and idiom. For
instance, in the expression "poor (old) sot" it seems to mean "fool" rather
than "drunkard."

Rehards,
Reinhard/Ron

•

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