|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1
stranger
|
OP
stranger
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1 |
I am enjoying "A Hunter's Wanderings in Africa" by F.C. Selous, written in the 19th century, a second time. Nearly every second page delights with old turns of phrase or words. One adjective Selous uses is goussy, as in "a forest of goussy trees". A brief Google revealed nothing except that it appears French. Can anybody help?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
ugh. the slaughter of elephants (and I presume other wildlife). no thanks. (I was interested in goussy, but not no more.) link to context
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290 |
While googling about, I came across another form (maybe): magoussy. No definition of that either.
Ceci n'est pas un seing.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,918 Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,918 Likes: 2 |
I have a half dozen ancient dictionaries, it's not in any of them. Sorry. Checked a couple French dictionaries as well: ne rien.
----please, draw me a sheep----
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
Welcome aBoard, Rupert. Could it possibly be a bastardization of gossamer? I can't see trees slaughtering animals, somehow. Then there's gouache, either a painting or a method of painting. But since it's a book centered on hunting, prolly tsuwm's link is the correct path.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
>I can't see trees slaughtering animals, somehow.
where in the whorl d'ya get that?! it's not in my post or certainly not the link..
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295 |
French Google gives only family names on this, maybe the trees are named after a Monsieur Goussy.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,706
Pooh-Bah
|
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,706 |
I have been looking around too and haven't found anything more.
I did read several pages from the novel, but didn't find it interesting. The idea of 'man the big hunter' is so out moded in this century.
Now if he was 'shooting' with a camera, that would be fabulous.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
I'll say this about it, it doesn't appear to be any sort of typo, as this author uses 'goussy' nine(9!) times in the referenced book, all in relation to forests or trees.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
where in the whorl d'ya get that?! From the OP.
|
|
|
Forums16
Topics13,913
Posts229,344
Members9,182
|
Most Online3,341 Dec 9th, 2011
|
|
0 members (),
782
guests, and
2
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
|