pstone commented on the word bodega
The Spanish "bodega" is derived from Latin "apotheca," by dropping the initial syllable and "softening" the remaining sounds:
bo'de'ga < -- > po'the'ca
Thus, if you want to feel particularly genteel or old world, refer to your local bodega as the "apothecary."
October 5, 2008
pstone commented on the word drag
The meaning "clothing that is conventionally worn by the opposite sex (especially women's clothing when worn by a man)" comes from Yiddish "trogn," to dress or to wear a dress, by way of Polari, a cant language.
pstone commented on the word nincompoop
Dates back to at least the 17th century, probably from thieves' cant "nickum-poop."
Comments by pstone
pstone commented on the word bodega
The Spanish "bodega" is derived from Latin "apotheca," by dropping the initial syllable and "softening" the remaining sounds:
bo'de'ga < -- > po'the'ca
Thus, if you want to feel particularly genteel or old world, refer to your local bodega as the "apothecary."
October 5, 2008
pstone commented on the word drag
The meaning "clothing that is conventionally worn by the opposite sex (especially women's clothing when worn by a man)" comes from Yiddish "trogn," to dress or to wear a dress, by way of Polari, a cant language.
October 5, 2008
pstone commented on the word nincompoop
Dates back to at least the 17th century, probably from thieves' cant "nickum-poop."
October 5, 2008