|
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379
Pooh-Bah
|
OP
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379 |
Is there a connection between the French "méchant" and the English "mechanic," esp. "mechanicals" as in "tradesmen?"
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,230
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,230 |
Quote:
Is there a connection between the French "méchant" and the English "mechanic," esp. "mechanicals" as in "tradesmen?"
I woudl have thought the connexion was obvious - the way tradesmen charge is VERY naughty.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
when I was in engineering school (lo these many years ago), it was generally agreed that I had a mechanical* approaching zero, asymptotically speaking.
*aptitude, that is
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,788
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,788 |
I don't think so.
Mechanic derives from the Old French mecanique which derives from the Latin mechanicus and the Greek mekhanikos, which derives from the Greek mekhane (machine, device) which somehow descended from the Indo-European magh- (which meant Volkswagen parts).
Méchant (evil, wicked, mean, insufficient or spiteful) derives from the Old French meschéante (unlucky). The Dictionnaire de L'Académie française (1835) is useful on usage but useless on etymology.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379
Pooh-Bah
|
|
OP
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379 |
Thanks, FS. btw, do you know if there is a good French etymological dictionary?
Interesting usage, tswum -- and surprising (specific) application!
Does the board offer a way to print topics, or individual posts directly, anyone?
Last edited by inselpeter; 11/06/05 02:15 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210 |
Quote:
Does the board offer a way to print topics, or individual posts directly, anyone?
there's a Print Topic button down near the bottom left of the page.
formerly known as etaoin...
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379
Pooh-Bah
|
|
OP
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379 |
Thanks again, FS. The Académie dictionary is also online, if I understand rightly, but I haven't tried to figure it out, yet.
Thanks, eta,
It could be just me, or maybe it's me, but while often find the button to print a post, I can almost never find the button to print a whole thread.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290 |
So it is, but it's the 8th edition.
Ceci n'est pas un seing.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
"mechanicals" as in "tradesmen?" What do you mean? I don't think I've ever heard mechanical used as a noun.
meschéante Oh--miscreant!
mis·cre·ant (mĭs'krē-ənt)
n.
1. An evildoer; a villain.
2. An infidel; a heretic.
[Middle English miscreaunt, heretic, from Old French mescreant, present participle of mescroire, to disbelieve : mes-, wrongly, not; see mis–1 + croire, to believe (from Latin crēdere).]
From Gurunet.
|
|
|
|
Forums16
Topics13,915
Posts229,921
Members9,197
| |
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
|
|
|
0 members (),
882
guests, and
15
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
|
