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Previous Thread Next Thread Print Thread aloof #118019 12/20/2003 4:56 PM Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 13,858 wwh Carpal Tunnel wwh Carpal Tunnel Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 13,858 One of the characters comments on another's "aloofness". It occurred to me that I had no idea as to the etymology of "aloof". Main Entry: 1aloof Pronunciation: &-'lüf Function: adverb Etymology: obsolete aloof to windward, from 1a- + louf, luf luff Date: circa 1540 : at a distance Now I can't remember what sailing term "luff" means. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: aloof #118020 12/20/2003 5:00 PM Joined: Jun 2002 Posts: 7,210 Vermont Buffalo Shrdlu Carpal Tunnel Buffalo Shrdlu Carpal Tunnel Joined: Jun 2002 Posts: 7,210 Vermont I believe it's when the sail flaps a bit, not being properly angled to the wind. my father-in-law is a good sailor, but even in my attempts to impress, I am not... formerly known as etaoin... Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: aloof #118021 12/22/2003 4:45 PM Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,692 UK dxb Pooh-Bah dxb Pooh-Bah Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,692 UK I always think it's better to be a loof than a lert. Who needs lerts? Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: aloof #118022 12/22/2003 5:46 PM Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 13,858 wwh Carpal Tunnel wwh Carpal Tunnel Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 13,858 And half a loof is better than none. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: aloof #118023 12/22/2003 7:46 PM Joined: Jun 2002 Posts: 7,210 Vermont Buffalo Shrdlu Carpal Tunnel Buffalo Shrdlu Carpal Tunnel Joined: Jun 2002 Posts: 7,210 Vermont not to mention half-vast... formerly known as etaoin... Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Moderated by  Jackie  Hop To General Topics ------  Information and announcements  Q&A about words  Wordplay and fun  Words and languages in schools  Miscellany  Weekly Themes  Looking for (writers, speakers,... (Old) Weekly themes. (have been... ------  Words from medicine  Beheading words  Meta-words  Words from classical mythology  Animal Safari  Words with unusual etymologies  Eponyms or words derived from p...  Loanwords from German  English as a global language Print Thread Switch to Threaded Mode Show Likes Link Copied to Clipboard View Profile Private Message Follow User Forum Posts Like Summary View Profile Private Message Website Follow User Forum Posts Like Summary View Profile Private Message Follow User Forum Posts Like Summary View Profile Private Message Follow User Forum Posts Like Summary View Profile Private Message Website Follow User Forum Posts Like Summary

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