Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

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

Topic Options
#202588 - 09/22/11 09:41 PM Chapbook (sort of)
Jackie Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 03/15/00
Posts: 11578
Loc: Louisville, Kentucky
Branny, did you happen to follow either of the links in today's Word? I found this (bolding added): chapman (CHAP-man) noun

A peddler; a merchant.

[From Old English ceapman, from ceap (trade, bargain), from Latin caupo (shopkeeper or innkeeper) + man. The German equivalent is Kaufmann, Dutch koopman.]


I probably have never heard the word chapman spoken. Do you-all still use koopman?

As to his other link, to colporteur, that is another word that I didn't know about in earlier times; and now all I can think of when I see it is Cole Porter. blush

==========================================================

Q. for zmjezhd and Faldage: is the Latin caupo related to the L. word for head?

Edit--I take it back: I had a school friend whose last name was Chapman. I heard that name spoken!


Edited by Jackie (09/22/11 09:42 PM)

Top
#202595 - 09/23/11 12:35 PM Re: Chapbook (sort of) [Re: Jackie]
BranShea Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 06/23/06
Posts: 5248
Loc: Netherlands, the Hague
Dutch etymology says koopman comes from köpink, copunoa [9e-10e century) from köpon - 'buy'. with links to German Kaufman, kopen 'buy' was borrowed from Latin 'caupõ' meaning a small dealer, also innkeeper, sjacheraar. Possibly just like Greek 'kápelõs `id.' coming from a non Indo-European language.

I see no mentioning of 'head'. it 's all related to buying.
Yes, koopman is still a current word also current is colporteur which is a chique word for travelling sales man.

smile Cole Porter maybe started as a singer going from door to door? ( I like his songs)

Yes I read yesterday's word but got distracted by the wisdom of the day.


Top


Moderator:  Jackie 
Forum Stats
8419 Members
16 Forums
13686 Topics
209710 Posts

Max Online: 3341 @ 12/09/11 02:15 PM
Newest Members
Stephen A, fgjhgjk, Nora Francis, sabosophie, Lore Lorena
8419 Registered Users
Who's Online
0 registered (), 52 Guests and 3 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters (30 Days)
LukeJavan8 81
jenny jenny 66
wofahulicodoc 47
endymion6 43
BranShea 35
Rhubarb Commando 27
Buffalo Shrdlu 19
Jackie 16
zmjezhd 15
Faldage 15
May
Su M Tu W Th F Sa
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31

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

© 2013 Wordsmith