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c.1300, "wheeled vehicle," from O.N.Fr. carre, from L. carrum, carrus (pl. carra), originally "two-wheeled Celtic war chariot," from Gaulish karros (cf. Welsh carr "cart, wagon," Breton karr "chariot"), from PIE *krsos, from base *kers- "to run." Extension to "automobile" is 1896. Car bomb first 1972, in reference to Northern Ireland.
Found this and wondered if you knew of any other things that started out as the short version (in this case as car) and was later made longer or latin/greek-ified (in this case car -> automobile) I just thought it was interesting that the common usage came before the 'posh' usage...
p.s. I really like the bold bit...makes me proud to be from the land of the Celts!
Last edited by bexter; 01/13/2011 1:34 PM. Reason: p.s.
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but starts with "b". Car-ry on
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race, as in "Ben-Hur". Boudica(?) love the stories about her.
I think there was a movie or two within the last few years too
wasn't there? Or am I imagining something else.
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But from antiquity to modern times, there are many stories of female warriors, of Amazons. The best known find their way into the history books as warrior queens, rulers as well as leaders. They have been forced to act as any Churchill, Stalin, or Roosevelt: Semiramis from Nineveh, who shaped the Assyrian Empire, and Boudicca, who led one of the bloodiest English revolts against the Roman forces of occupation, to cite just two. Boudicca is honoured with a statue on the Thames at Westminster Bridge, right opposite Big Ben. Be sure to say hello to her if you happen to pass by.
from Larsson's Hornet's Nest, which I just opened this A.M.
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