Fortochka

[Hugh Olmsted]

Jules, et al.
Yes indeed.  "Vasistas" (n., msc.) is the usual French word for 'fortochka', originating in the German "Was ist das?" -- 'chto eto takoe?', long a favorite etymology of mine. 
That it should appear in the works of Pushkin, where the easy importation of le mot juste francais is not unknown, should come as scant surprise.
Hugh Olmsted




On Feb 2, 2011, at 6:30 PM, Jules Levin wrote:

> On 2/2/2011 5:43 AM, John Dunn wrote:
>> Aleksandrov's 1885 dictionary gives 'vasistas', which, although implausible and probably inaccurate,  should, at least, please the Pushkinisty among us.
>> 
>> John Dunn.
>> 
> Isn't the whole question Wass ist dass?
> 
> Jules Levin
> 
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