Twelve English etymologies from the social margins (Part 2) Cover Image

Twelve English etymologies from the social margins (Part 2)
Twelve English etymologies from the social margins (Part 2)

Author(s): William Sayers
Subject(s): Language studies, Applied Linguistics, Lexis, Semantics
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego
Keywords: popular speech; lexicography; English etymology;

Summary/Abstract: Etymologies are proposed for twelve previously unexplained English words from working-class or underclass English vocabulary. Treated in Part 2 of this study are aloof/aluff, boondoggle, and welch/jew/gyp. Common features are isolation, extended use, pejoration, and treatment by lexicographers with varying degrees of proscriptiveness and by word buffs with enthusiastic amateur etymologizing.

  • Issue Year: 137/2020
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 187-197
  • Page Count: 11
  • Language: English