tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364158.post8429994014045644622..comments2023-10-26T09:46:09.197-04:00Comments on BIRDS ETCETERA: The Other “C-Word”John L. Trapphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14001532550767505335noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364158.post-79263890205645254742008-02-22T17:30:00.000-05:002008-02-22T17:30:00.000-05:00Thanks, Bill, for your erudite contribution on the...Thanks, Bill, for your erudite contribution on the derivation of the two "c-words."John L. Trapphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14001532550767505335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364158.post-9474315724590019312008-02-22T10:21:00.000-05:002008-02-22T10:21:00.000-05:00I once looked into the etymology of these two c-wo...I once looked into the etymology of these two c-words, and I believe they are both considered to be derived from the same indo-european root, having to do with mounds, lumps, and bumps. Complementary or opposite pairs derived from the same root are a curious and common feature of linquistic evolution. "Blank," from French "blanc" (white) versus "Black" (from the same IE root by a different path of derivation) are another example. <BR/><BR/>Also interesting -- The two "rude" c-words are the anglo-saxon derived terms, the speech of the peasants in Norman England. The "polite" words mean the exact same thing, but are derived from Norman French, the language of the ruling class. Sorry, just interjecting a little bit of class politics and linguistic reconstruction...Bill Pulliamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02333438671130100114noreply@blogger.com