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adventures in etymology
Feb. 8th, 2020 11:09 pmThe context, such as it is, is that I was attempting to persuade a friend that their Norwegian was really definitely and for realsies up to the job of Reading A Knitting Pattern. They responded, dubiously, "I was pretty sure 'genser' would be a honk but it's a sweater, so we're not off to a good start."
Psh, I said. It's the geansaí/gansey word. It's All Fine. You're Fine. (This is, to be clear, a friend with whom Etymology is a longstanding mutual interest.)
Anyway! From here we rapidly realised that (1) it's also the same word as "Guernsey", (2) "Guernsey" and "Jersey" are actually the same word too just wearing different hats, and (picture a slow dawning) (3) THEY BOTH MEAN ISLAND. THAT'S IT. THEY JUST CALLED THE ISLANDS "ISLAND".
Have I mentioned recently that I think humans are great? Because humans are pretty great.
Psh, I said. It's the geansaí/gansey word. It's All Fine. You're Fine. (This is, to be clear, a friend with whom Etymology is a longstanding mutual interest.)
Anyway! From here we rapidly realised that (1) it's also the same word as "Guernsey", (2) "Guernsey" and "Jersey" are actually the same word too just wearing different hats, and (picture a slow dawning) (3) THEY BOTH MEAN ISLAND. THAT'S IT. THEY JUST CALLED THE ISLANDS "ISLAND".
Have I mentioned recently that I think humans are great? Because humans are pretty great.