Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us  

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#131168 08/06/04 03:07 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,475
J
jheem Offline OP
veteran
OP Offline
veteran
J
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,475
Anu's word today is forsooth. Interesting that sooth part. Basically from the PIE root *es- 'to be', sooth is related to Skt satya 'truth' and German Sünde (English sin) 'sin', literally 'is is (true)'. (Also, Skt swastika < su- 'good' + esti 'it is + -ka nominalizing suffix.) In the same semantic ballpark (field), there's very and verily from Latin verus 'truth' and truth < true + -th; true is related to tree (and Gk drous 'oak' and Celtic druid) and originally meant straight. (Carpenters still talk about a board being true.)

[And a tip of the hat to Dr Bill for nudging me.]



#131169 08/10/04 07:57 PM
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
so, "straight and true" is redundant?



formerly known as etaoin...
#131170 08/10/04 09:10 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,475
J
jheem Offline OP
veteran
OP Offline
veteran
J
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,475
so, "straight and true" is redundant?

More like double negatives, they just add to one another.


#131171 08/10/04 10:24 PM
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
ooh, positive double negatives!



formerly known as etaoin...

Moderated by  Jackie 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics13,912
Posts229,283
Members9,179
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
Newest Members
TRIALNERRA, befuddledmind, KILL_YOUR_SUV, Heather_Turey, Standy
9,179 Registered Users
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 444 guests, and 3 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days)
Top Posters
wwh 13,858
Faldage 13,803
Jackie 11,613
tsuwm 10,542
wofahulicodoc 10,510
LukeJavan8 9,916
AnnaStrophic 6,511
Wordwind 6,296
of troy 5,400
Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site. Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.

Home | Today's Word | Yesterday's Word | Subscribe | FAQ | Archives | Search | Feedback
Wordsmith Talk | Wordsmith Chat

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5