Wordsmith Talk |
About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us | |||
You are not logged in. [Log In] Wordsmith.org » Forums » General Topics » Wordplay and fun » intelligentsia Register User Forum List Calendar Active Topics Search
FAQ
Topic Options ![]()
#2175 - 05/11/00 06:05 AM intelligentsia
![]()
stranger
Registered: 05/11/00
Posts: 2 An interesting etymology:
"intelligentsia" was borrowed from Russian, which
in turn borrowed it from Latin -> French. Obviously,
English is much closer to Latin than any Slavic language.
(I understand though that intelligentsia originally
described a specific Russian elite class and therefore
conveys the intended meaning more clearly...)
So, here is my question:
How do you call words that are re-borrowed
or double-borrowed? Anybody knows other examples?
P.S. As a non-native speaker, I learned more
English words reading the board posts here than
through reading newspapers and stuff... Thanks a lot!!!
Top
#2176 - 05/11/00 10:49 AM Re: intelligentsia
![]()
Carpal Tunnel
![]()
Registered: 03/15/00
Posts: 11582
Loc: Louisville, Kentucky Can't think of the word you're looking for, but check out
the l-o-n-g etymology of the following! A(nu)mazing!
Date: Thu Apr 13 00:05:14 EDT 2000
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--janissary
X-Bonus: A man does not have to be an angel in order to be saint. -Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965)
janissary (JAN-i-ser-ee) also janizary (-ZER-ee) noun
1. A member of a group of elite, highly loyal supporters.
2. A soldier in an elite Turkish guard organized in the 14th century
and abolished in 1826.
[French janissaire, from Old French jehanicere, from Old Italian giannizero,from Ottoman Turkish yani cheri, new army : yani, new + cheri, special troops (from Middle Persian cherih, bravery, victory, from cher, brave,
victorious, from Avestan chairya-, vigorous, brave).]
Top
Moderator: Jackie
Forum Stats 8453 Members
16 Forums
13691 Topics
210120 Posts
Max Online: 3341 @ 12/09/11 02:15 PM
Newest Members zhangzhen, dene13, MariaAnastasia, MNPrasad, Krysto4
8453 Registered Users
Who's Online 0 registered (), 41 Guests and 2 Spiders online. Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters (30 Days)
LukeJavan8 93 jenny jenny 68 endymion6 68 wofahulicodoc 67 teepee 20 Rhubarb Commando 16 Faldage 14 tsuwm 9 anddrewlee 6 Jackie 4
June 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
Board Rules · Mark all read Contact Us · Wordsmith.org · Top
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
Previous Topic
Index