Fake etymology

A fake etymology, is an invented explanation (etymology) for the origin of a word. Many vulgar words in particular have been subject to such invented etymologies, most of which have very recent 20th century origins. Sometimes, these etymologies are then propagated through the culture by others, either because they were taken seriously by mistake, or simply because they enjoyed the joke and wanted to pass it along. Fake etymologies — constructed accounts of a word or phrase's history which are incorrect — should be distinguished from other kinds of false etymology such as folk etymology.

Urban legend etymologies

Some fake etymologies have become urban legends, many of which allege a scandalous origin for a common and innocent word. One common example has to do with the phrase rule of thumb, meaning a rough measurement; the width of adult male thumb is roughly one inch. An urban legend has it that the phrase refers to an old English law under which a man could legally beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. http://www.quinion.com/words/qa/qa-rul1.htm Interestingly enough, the phrase "rule of thumb" is known in Finland (which is a Metric country) as "nyrkkisääntö" (rule of fist); the width of adult male fist is roughly ten centimeters) - certain Feminists have interpreted a man has legally been allowed to beat his wife with his fists but not with a weapon.

Related Topics:
Urban legend - Rule of thumb - Feminists

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In the United States, many of these scandalous fake etymologies have had to do with racism and slavery. Common words such as picnic http://www.snopes.com/language/offense/picnic.htm, buck http://www.snopes.com/language/offense/buck.htm, and crowbar http://www.snopes.com/language/offense/crowbar.asp have been alleged to stem from derogatory terms or racist practices. The 'discovery' of these alleged etymologies is often believed by those who circulate them to draw attention to racist attitudes embedded in ordinary discourse. On one occasion the use of the word niggardly led to the resignation of a US public official because it sounded similar to the word nigger.

Related Topics:
United States - Racism - Slavery - Niggardly - Nigger

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