Sometimes a story is too good to be believed. Such is the case with folk etymologies. They are enticing stories about a word’s origin, but ultimately false.
Etymology is a fascinating field
— it’s a branch of linguistics concerned with tracing the development of a word
from the earliest recorded instance and following a word’s transmission from
one language to another. For example, the etymology of the word “magazine” is
that it comes from the Arabic “makhazin,” meaning “storehouse,” and it entered
into English in the 15th century. Today, the word is used both for ammunition
storage and for your glossy periodicals, as a storehouse of information.
An etymologist is a person who
conducts the research and documentation of etymology. They use historical
records and other reference materials to accurately trace the origin and
evolution of words and phrases. Sometimes, however, a story about the origin of
a word spreads without the careful research of an etymologist. If a story
sounds plausible, it can circulate and gain traction, even if it’s somewhat
fanciful. These made-up — yet still widely distributed — stories about the
origins of certain words and idioms are called folk etymologies, akin to
folklore. Here are some examples.
Posh
The folk etymology of “posh” is
that it’s an acronym for “port out, starboard home,” denoting the cooler (in
terms of temperature) side of ships traveling from England to India and back in
the 1800s. Those cabins were more expensive, so “POSH” was supposedly stamped
on the tickets of first-class passengers. From there, “posh” came to mean
“elegant.”
It’s a great story, but no known
evidence supports it. The more likely origin story, which is not nearly as
enticing, is that “posh” was a 19th-century British slang word meaning “money,”
and referring more specifically to a halfpenny. The source of the slang is
Romani, the language of people who had migrated to England from South Asia.
That Romani word, posh-hórri, means “halfpenny.”
In British slang of the same
period, “posh” also referred to a dandy, a man unduly devoted to fashion. This
usage may have reinforced the sophisticated meaning of “posh,” but it has
nothing to do with an acronym.
Marmalade
Mary, Queen of Scots, reportedly
suffered from seasickness. After one sea voyage crossing the English Channel,
she arrived in Dundee, where French was spoken, and was served a tasty quince
dessert to make her feel better. Accordingly, this dessert was dubbed Marie est
malade, meaning “Mary is sick.”
Don’t believe that story. The
word “marmalade,” for a sweetened jelly containing fruit and fruit rind, joined
the lexicon in the 1500s with reference to a preserve made from quince purée.
The Portuguese marmelada is a derivative of marmelo, meaning “quince.” The real
story has nothing to do with Mary, Queen of Scots.
Pumpernickel
During Napoleon’s German
campaigns, he disliked the local dark rye bread so much that he declared it
“pain pour Nicol,” bread only suitable for his horse, Nicol.
Again, a good story, but a folk
etymology. “Pumpernickel” actually derives from the German pumpern, meaning “to
break wind,” and Nickel, meaning “goblin.” Centuries ago, this bread was made
from very coarsely ground rye berries and could cause flatulence. (Perhaps the
sounds were blamed on a goblin.) The issue has since been resolved as today’s
pumpernickel bread is made with more refined flour.
Why Is It Called Mardi Gras?
Mardi Gras may be known for
parades and beads, but its name tells a story of a centuries-old relationship
between food and faith.
“Mardi Gras” translates literally
from French as “Fat Tuesday,” a fitting name that captures both the colorful
indulgence and the timing of this famous celebration. “Fat” refers to the rich,
indulgent foods traditionally consumed on the day, while “Tuesday” marks its
place on the calendar. Mardi Gras always falls on the day before Ash Wednesday,
the first day of Lent and the start of the 40-day Lenten season in the
Christian calendar.
The culinary traditions of the
holiday originated in medieval Europe, where Christians developed a custom of
using up the butter, eggs, red meat, and other decadent foods forbidden during
Lent’s fasting period. This was a practical necessity, but it also happened to
be great fun, so the day evolved into one of celebration and excess.