It’s even more perverse and a very real source of inter-lingual confusion that in French the word for auk is “pinguoin” (to the extent that WordReference lists it as a translation for penguin with the caveat “courant mais impropre”)
Also, Etymonline has been one of my go-to sites since I was approximately 10 years old and first stated writing stories and using the internet on my parents’ desktop 🥲
Regarding the perverse French: for the sake of completeness, the French language isn't a *total* outlier, as the word "pingouin" does exist; however, strictly speaking, this word refers to the razorbill (Alca torda), not to penguins, which are indeed "manchots" in French. Nevertheless, it is extremely common to hear "pingouin" used (erroneously) by French-speakers to refer to penguins.
Oh My Life, Lev. How on earth have I managed to get to my age without knowing about the online etymology dictionary?!?!? My tools of procrastination are surely now complete! Thank you ...
Thank you for getting me to sit down and watch my first Marxist sketch. I know. I just never got round to it. The piano one has been filed under HAPPY with some Joyce Grenfell, Madeline Kahn, The Muppets and Sammy Davis Jr clips for company. Speaking of which. I've been umming and ahhing over what to write about next. I was considering tap. I love tap dancing. I've spent the whole day trying to work out a rhythm "properly", with counts. I just can't get it. My trusty "Ba-da-ba-da" system will have to do. Once I've gone back and watched your clip I'm gonna get drafting.
Thanks Lev! Love the Marx Brothers- my favourite has to be the cabin scene in Night at the Opera (“Do you want your nails long or short? Better make ‘em short, it’s getting kinda crowded in here”) And I think Penguin books should bring back the dancing penguin logo- he looks happier somehow
It’s even more perverse and a very real source of inter-lingual confusion that in French the word for auk is “pinguoin” (to the extent that WordReference lists it as a translation for penguin with the caveat “courant mais impropre”)
Also, Etymonline has been one of my go-to sites since I was approximately 10 years old and first stated writing stories and using the internet on my parents’ desktop 🥲
I love etymonline, but now that I've read the penguin entry I'm not going to be able to think about Pingu without thinking "fat and juicy".
Oh lord, an online etymological dictionary! I am lost….
And my first search revealed that “bamboozle” is related to French embabouiner "to make a fool (literally 'baboon') of 😂
Regarding the perverse French: for the sake of completeness, the French language isn't a *total* outlier, as the word "pingouin" does exist; however, strictly speaking, this word refers to the razorbill (Alca torda), not to penguins, which are indeed "manchots" in French. Nevertheless, it is extremely common to hear "pingouin" used (erroneously) by French-speakers to refer to penguins.
How can a picture of the worlds largest islands be so fascinating?!
Oh My Life, Lev. How on earth have I managed to get to my age without knowing about the online etymology dictionary?!?!? My tools of procrastination are surely now complete! Thank you ...
You broke me with "anthropomorphisable." I keep trying (and failing) to say it aloud.
Thank you for getting me to sit down and watch my first Marxist sketch. I know. I just never got round to it. The piano one has been filed under HAPPY with some Joyce Grenfell, Madeline Kahn, The Muppets and Sammy Davis Jr clips for company. Speaking of which. I've been umming and ahhing over what to write about next. I was considering tap. I love tap dancing. I've spent the whole day trying to work out a rhythm "properly", with counts. I just can't get it. My trusty "Ba-da-ba-da" system will have to do. Once I've gone back and watched your clip I'm gonna get drafting.
Love these
Dear Lev, with your sense of humor and the absurd , I would like to refer you to your fellow Brit Nick Parker’s brilliant column Tone Knob.
Thanks Lev! Love the Marx Brothers- my favourite has to be the cabin scene in Night at the Opera (“Do you want your nails long or short? Better make ‘em short, it’s getting kinda crowded in here”) And I think Penguin books should bring back the dancing penguin logo- he looks happier somehow