SC - Of Interest

[Gedney, Jeff]

On Monday, April 06, 1998 2:14 PM, CorwynWdwd [SMTP:CorwynWdwd at aol.com]
wrote:
> > "Perfectly preserved in the waterlogged sediments were the remains
of a 13th
> >  century corn mill, consisting of the wooden foundations and an over
6 metre
> >  long water-wheel drife shaft."
>  
> 
> As I recall, corn was the English name for grain, specifically I
think, wheat
> or barley. Maize is not only the "native" word for corn, it is often
used in
> English (As opposed to American) as a referrent to "corn" , at least
in those
> PBS specials.
> 
> Corwyn
Quite right. IIRC, "Corn" was (and still is in England) a generic term
for grain. Etymologically related to "corm", a plant bulb, which is
another thing that one plants. I believe that our usage of corn as a
specific New World grain comes down from the old colonial usage of
"Indian Corn" or Indian grain (Rather than use a Heathen term like
"Maize"). After a while common usage dropped the "Indian", leaving
"Corn" as a specific name, because every body knows what corn you are
talking about, when you say "corn". 
BTW I believe that "corny" as silly refers to being affected by an
excess of corn liquor.

Brandu 

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