Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

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

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#189635 02/27/10 12:52 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1
J
Jacob G Offline OP
stranger
OP Offline
stranger
J
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1
The word "locum" appears in Danish - spelling: lokum - referring to "the (secret) place" and is thus a euphemism for a latrine, especially of the more primitive kind. The word has been in use since the 1740's and probably earlier.

Jacob G #189636 02/27/10 02:11 PM
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290
lokum

English loo for toilet is probably from the French lieu. The locum tenes mentioned in Garg's etymology has become the lieutenant of today in English.


Ceci n'est pas un seing.
Jacob G #189638 02/27/10 04:17 PM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295
I love the Danish word for birthday ; Fuzzeldei (if I remember well) I understand 'dei' must be related to day, but can you tell me if you please what's the fuzzel? Welcome.

zmjezhd #189639 02/27/10 04:19 PM
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,916
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,916
Likes: 2
Pardon my ignorance, but how does the person who "holds the
place" for someone do that? What is the job? And for whom?
I've often been confused by the term.
Also where does the British "leftenant" come from? "Lef"?


----please, draw me a sheep----
LukeJavan8 #189641 02/27/10 04:50 PM
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290
how does the person who "holds the place" for someone do that? What is the job? And for whom? I've often been confused by the term.

Taking somebody's place? When is a placeholder a lieutenant? How did Latin officium 'service, kindness, favor; duty' come to mean a room in which work gets done? Though we do have officeholders, too. Latin locus had a plethora of meanings: 'place, spot; seat, lodgings; (in war) post, station'. (See the entry in Lewis & Short.)

Also where does the British "leftenant" come from? "Lef"?

It's a complicated story, but basically, the pronunciation with f is older. See the entry in the OED1:



Ceci n'est pas un seing.
zmjezhd #189646 02/27/10 05:40 PM
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,916
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,916
Likes: 2
THANKS, GRATEFULLY.
It is amazing how just using a word like "office-holder" can
clear up the clould of confusion.
Lef is older, and seeing the quote, I now understand it, and
I appreciate your taking to time to help me out. Merci.


----please, draw me a sheep----

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 (), 442 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