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Joined: Jan 2001
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Carpal Tunnel
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OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
The hostler refers to a "fore boot" in addition to the rear boot, places for storing luggage,etc., belonging to passengers on the coach. Can anyone tell me the etymology "boot" in this usage?
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065 |
Two possibilities: the coach/car/whatever is thought of as metaphorically a person with the front being the head (hence bonnet or hood as the case may be) and the back being the foot (hence boot).
Boots were kept there.
Bingley
Bingley
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Joined: Jan 2001
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Carpal Tunnel
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OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
Dear Bingley: I wondered if "boot" were related to French "bout" but could not find any confirmation.
Or even more likely "boÎte" = box
I just discovered that WindowsXP has "charmap" available.
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