|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
|
OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
It occurred to me that I had no idea as to its etymology:
counterpane
SYLLABICATION: coun·ter·pane
PRONUNCIATION: kountr-pn
NOUN: A cover for a bed; a bedspread.
ETYMOLOGY: Alteration of obsolete counterpoint, from Middle English countrepoint, from Old French contrepointe, alteration of coultepointe, from Medieval Latin culcita pncta, stitched quilt : Latin culcita, quilt, mattress; see quilt + Latin pnctus, stitched, pricked; see point.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065 |
Isn't this one of the words Bill Bryant had problems with when he first arrived in Britain?
Bingley
Bingley
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400 |
I first came across it reading historical novels, and then learned its history when i learned to do crewel work.
its not that uncommon. its just not an americanism.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,533 Likes: 1
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,533 Likes: 1 |
"When you're lying awake, with a dismal headache,
And repose is tabooed by anxiety,
I conceive you may use any language you choose
To indulge in, without impropriety.
For your brain is on fire, the bedclothes conspire
Of usual slumber to plunder you:
First your counterpane goes and uncovers your toes,
Then your sheet slips demurely from under you..."
. . . . . . . G&S, Iolanthe, Act II, "The Nightmare Song"
And didn't Robert Louis Stevenson write even earlier of "The Pleasant Land of Counterpane" ?
|
|
|
|
Forums16
Topics13,913
Posts229,316
Members9,182
| |
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
|
|
|
0 members (),
441
guests, and
0
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
|
