"That's a great deal to make one word mean," Alice said in a thoughtful tone. "When I make a word do a lot of work like that," said Humpty Dumpty, "I always pay it extra."
Tuesday, 1 February 2011
Gardyloo
Gardyloo was a warning cry from medieval times, used to warn passers-by of waste about to be thrown from a window into the street below.
I have always assumed that it has, Librarian. I imagine it comes from the French 'gardez' - beware - and loo (as in that which is about to descend on you as the chamber pots are emptied!!) Quite where 'loo' came from in the first place I don't know.
My daughter Helen commented in November 2008 in her Blog that she was now keeping a notebook of new words that she came across during her reading. "This week I bought a lovely little leather bound book to write new words in as I read them . I've added a few from "1984", but my favourite has to be persiflage (from the French persifler) which means banter." I later discovered that my older daughter, Bryony, also kept a similar notebook.
This inspired me to create a Word blog. This will include both new words, favourite words and the origins of phrases that we commonly use. A definition and some comment, perhaps even a relevant quotation, will acompany the word or phrase.
“I am a Bear of Very Little Brain, and long words bother me.” - Winnie the Pooh
That might make an excellent blog name.
ReplyDeleteDoes this have anything to do with using "loo" for toilet?
ReplyDeleteI have always assumed that it has, Librarian. I imagine it comes from the French 'gardez' - beware - and loo (as in that which is about to descend on you as the chamber pots are emptied!!) Quite where 'loo' came from in the first place I don't know.
ReplyDelete