We have two more famous AWADers among us:
(from the AWAD newsletter):
From: Chris Reiner
Subject: Redd
This word suggested to me interesting bit of linguistic convergence - of a
sort. Two completely unrelated, almost identical words that both have a
connection to fish.
In Spanish, red means net, like you'd catch a fish with (from the same root
that gives us reticulate - resembling a net - like the reticulated python,
whose markings look like a net over its body). So, one could readily catch
a red herring in a redd with a red.
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From: William W. Hunt
Subject: redd
When fish spawn, the bottom must be clear sand or else the developing ova
would not get enough oxygen. The fish spend a considerable amount of time
and energy agitating the water in the place they plan to deposit the ova,
to "redd up" the layer of dead or living algae. I have seen sunfish do this.
All along the edge of the pond there were light colored circles of their
nests, outlined by the dark dead algae layer. I have a hunch the males do
the work, to attract a roe laden female.So the name "redd" for a cleared
place for fish to deposit ova makes sense to me.
( from the bulletin board http://wordsmith.org/board )
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way cool =)
