[Sca-cooks] sops

Terry Decker t.d.decker at worldnet.att.net
Mon Jun 5 17:16:47 PDT 2006


A static definition is immaterial as etymology is about word origin and 
transmission and covers changes in form and meaning.  Etymology provides a 
broad historical context for words and a framework for understanding their 
use in a specific temporal context.

As for "maggot," it's common usage in this regard is "maggot in the brain." 
Similar to "a bee in one's bonnet," although the original phrase is "a bee 
in one's head" and predates "maggot in the brain" by about a century.

Bear

>I wasn't bitten and etymology is only important if the definition was 
>static.  Clearly it wasn't and still isn't.
>
> The fact that the different recipes have two different definitions of 
> 'sops' but very similar ingredients...maybe some of the later ones came 
> from some of the earlier ones?
>
> It really is okay for a word to have multiple definitions, multiple 
> contexts, a noun at one time, a verb at another.
>
> I think it's really educational and interesting to view 8 different 
> recipes showing so many similarities and a few differences from such a 
> broad spectrum in time and distance.
>
> This'll blow your mind as my favorite example of extreme word evolution: 
> In the 17th century, 'maggot' meant a fancy or delight.
>
>
> Duriel





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