Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us  

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#196089 01/13/11 01:33 PM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 677
bexter Offline OP
addict
OP Offline
addict
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 677
car
c.1300, "wheeled vehicle," from O.N.Fr. carre, from L. carrum, carrus (pl. carra), originally "two-wheeled Celtic war chariot," from Gaulish karros (cf. Welsh carr "cart, wagon," Breton karr "chariot"), from PIE *krsos, from base *kers- "to run." Extension to "automobile" is 1896. Car bomb first 1972, in reference to Northern Ireland.

Found this and wondered if you knew of any other things that started out as the short version (in this case as car) and was later made longer or latin/greek-ified (in this case car -> automobile) I just thought it was interesting that the common usage came before the 'posh' usage...

p.s. I really like the bold bit...makes me proud to be from the land of the Celts!

Last edited by bexter; 01/13/11 01:34 PM. Reason: p.s.

----The next sentence is true. The previous sentence is false----
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,916
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,916
Likes: 2
Ah....with your ancient warrior queen whose name I forget
but starts with "b". Car-ry on


----please, draw me a sheep----
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 677
bexter Offline OP
addict
OP Offline
addict
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 677
Ha! Boudiccea or Boudicca or Boudica or Boudicea...depending on what the academics thought in any given year...she had red hair you know...but unfortunately most two wheeled chariots were used like buses on the battlefield...they carried people on and off and didn't tend to have the massive rotating blades that chop people in half that you see in the films...although the leaders did have them so that they were elevated and could see the battle progressing...they would dismount to enter the fight though...


----The next sentence is true. The previous sentence is false----
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,916
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,916
Likes: 2
That's the lady. Bless her. I love a good chariot battle, or
race, as in "Ben-Hur". Boudica(?) love the stories about her.
I think there was a movie or two within the last few years too
wasn't there? Or am I imagining something else.


----please, draw me a sheep----
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 677
bexter Offline OP
addict
OP Offline
addict
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 677
I think there was...there was definitely a film filled with woadies...in Ben-Hur's race one of the charioteers is wearing a watch...makes me laugh everytime I see it...a favourite moment in Gladiator is when the slaves defeat the chariots in the Colosseum...


----The next sentence is true. The previous sentence is false----
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
today's diegogarcity:
But from antiquity to modern times, there are many stories of female warriors, of Amazons. The best known find their way into the history books as warrior queens, rulers as well as leaders. They have been forced to act as any Churchill, Stalin, or Roosevelt: Semiramis from Nineveh, who shaped the Assyrian Empire, and Boudicca, who led one of the bloodiest English revolts against the Roman forces of occupation, to cite just two. Boudicca is honoured with a statue on the Thames at Westminster Bridge, right opposite Big Ben. Be sure to say hello to her if you happen to pass by.
from Larsson's Hornet's Nest, which I just opened this A.M.

tsuwm #196139 01/13/11 05:36 PM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 677
bexter Offline OP
addict
OP Offline
addict
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 677
Her daughters are there as well...the reason for her rebellion...


----The next sentence is true. The previous sentence is false----
tsuwm #196199 01/15/11 02:28 AM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Larsson's Hornet's Nest Hey! I've read that! smile


Moderated by  Jackie 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics13,912
Posts229,283
Members9,179
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
Newest Members
TRIALNERRA, befuddledmind, KILL_YOUR_SUV, Heather_Turey, Standy
9,179 Registered Users
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 674 guests, and 4 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days)
Top Posters
wwh 13,858
Faldage 13,803
Jackie 11,613
tsuwm 10,542
wofahulicodoc 10,510
LukeJavan8 9,916
AnnaStrophic 6,511
Wordwind 6,296
of troy 5,400
Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site. Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.

Home | Today's Word | Yesterday's Word | Subscribe | FAQ | Archives | Search | Feedback
Wordsmith Talk | Wordsmith Chat

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5