Talk:Fake etymology
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Folk and fake etymology
I think this should be merged and redirected to Folk etymology.--Imran 02:19, 19 Feb 2004 (UTC)
- I wouldn't disagree. I've at least tried to make the link, but don't have time to do the major surgery. seglea 02:53, 19 Feb 2004 (UTC)
Well, I read folk etymology and felt it didn't quite represent the same thing as fake etymology, though I suppose once either kind has gained currency, it's hard to distinguish them. Folk etymology appears to be a natural evolution of the language, whereas the fake stuff is a deliberate invention, probably intended primarily for humorous purposes rather than a true attempt at explanation. I think they should remain distinct (otherwise I'd have amended folk etymology in the first place). Graham 03:04, 19 Feb 2004 (UTC)
- Since I've tried to clear up the distinctions between folk and fake etymology there's been a couple of conversations on my talk page about the distinction. That's probably not the best place for it to be, so I'm about to summarize what I've said to User:Auto movil and User:Pasquale on Folk etymology's talk page. — mendel ☎ 14:49, Nov 19, 2004 (UTC)
Some examples
What of the origins of OKay? The Japanese originated it? The Dutch?
- I heard that it is derived from an old british jocular spelling of "Orl Korrekt" (All correct), but it is not a water-proof theory.
And Yankee? Or do the fake etymologies only apply for crude terms?
- Go for it. Though I know nothing about "Yankee" personally, if it has a fake etymology it is welcome on the page. Graham 11:20, 13 Apr 2004 (UTC)
California
If there are no copyright issues, I would like to add California from the UNIX files during my student days. Note also that it is a fake.
Is is OK?...
California from 'Cali', as in 'caliente, calor' -hot in Spanish, calories, etc. and 'fornia' as in fornicate. California used to be called Tierra de la California. The land of HOT SEX !
Jondel 11:52, 23 Apr 2004 (UTC)~~
Maybe...
This is a classic example of "revisionist history," and possibly should be referred to as such. But then, the very word revisionist has such strong connotations, I understand why it cannot be mentioned (ie, nazi germany). GWC Autumn 59 2004 18.00 EST
Brassiere
The Brassiere / Titzling entry is very ambiguous... what is it intended to mean? With everything else, the person's name gives the name of the word. I understand some sort of "tits" association here, but that isn't conveyed. I don't know how to best fix it, but someone should.
- Titzling - Tit-sling... gerrit??? it's a very bad joke - proven by the fact it needs explaining. Graham 22:40, 6 Dec 2004 (UTC)
Folk Vs. Fake
"While "folk etymology" is occasionally encountered as a synonym for "fake etymology", that usage is rare amongst linguists."
In my experience, folk etymology is NOT occasionally, but rather, is almost always used in a synonymous way with fake etymology by non linguists. Does anyone else agree? This scentence should be changed if so.
- I'm only an armchair linguist but I regularly hear/read the term "folk etymology" in linguistics contexts. I have never heard "fake etymology" in any other place than here on Wikipedia. While the distinction between the two concepts is clear and seems to be legitimate, I don't think the name of this article is appropriate. If there is a term in linguistics, we should find it and adopt it. If there is not, then this article should be appended to Folk etymology. There may even be a very slight breach of the "no original work" principle. — Hippietrail 04:28, 21 May 2005 (UTC)
A while back (8th May actually) I discussed this on the talk page of the Folk Etymology article: see Talk:Folk etymology#Merge request revived. Hippietrail confirms my point. Can I ask those of you who have feelings about that to voice them now, because if there are no objections I will make a change, and will take you off my christmas card list if you then object retrospectively. --Doric Loon 19:45, 14 Jun 2005 (UTC)
- I agree with Hippietrail that this article title has no currency outside of Wikipedia. I don't think the content should be merged with "Folk etymology"; rather, I think it should be moved to a section of Etymology with an introduction like "Invented or false etymologies often gain currency in popular culture as a way of explaining a word whose actual history is obscure or opaque...." AJD 20:58, 14 Jun 2005 (UTC)
Fake eponyms
Here are some terms which I've found listed as eponyms on the Internet, and in dictionaries with non-eponymous etymologies: bigot: Nathaniel Bigot (1575-1660) of England, kiosk: Imre Kiosk (1862-1921) of Hungary. I'm not sure if they're definitely fake, or if there is some uncertainty. — Hippietrail 04:41, 21 May 2005 (UTC)
- The word bigot is French in origin and dates to the 15th century. It may come from Norman words for "by God". It was first recorded in English in 1598. [1] (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=bigot) [2] (http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=bigot) --FOo 05:23, 21 May 2005 (UTC)
I've heard from several sources that the Sony Walkman was named after a 19th century inventor called Otis P. Walkman. I don't believe it and there's no mention of it in the Walkman article. If someone can confirm that it is a fake etymology, then it might be a good one to add. Also sirloin which is surely one of the most repeated fake etymologies. --80.3.160.6 10:53, 22 Jun 2005 (UTC)