The why-is-it-called-that thread

[shereads]

Bluestocking.

I know what it means - an (inappropriately) bookish female. But why stockings? And why blue ones? Does anyone know the origin of the term, or know of a good resource for researching the origins of vintage slang?

Also:

macaroni - not the pasta, but the dandy.

 

[Salvor-Hardon]

I found this

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=bluestocking

 

[shereads]

I found this

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=bluestocking

Thank you! Talk about your obscure pop culture references; I guess anyone who knew what bluestocking meant deserved to use it as an insult.

I just discovered that another word for miser is nipcheese. I like it.

 

[cloudy]

Thank you! Talk about your obscure pop culture references; I guess anyone who knew what bluestocking meant deserved to use it as an insult.

I just discovered that another word for miser is nipcheese. I like it.

would a spendthrift be a cheesenip?

 

[shereads]

would a spendthrift be a cheesenip?

A spendthirft would be the opposite of a nipcheese, so yes.



Sniffsmock is a good word (courtesy of Dr. M). Not sure what it means, but it cannot be a compliment.

 

[Recidiva]

I have another question.

Is it "speak your piece" or "speak your peace" and why?

I tend to veer toward "piece" but I see it the other way often.

 

[CeriseNoire]

I have another question.

Is it "speak your piece" or "speak your peace" and why?

I tend to veer toward "piece" but I see it the other way often.

"Piece" is correct. See number 9.

 

[Recidiva]

"Piece" is correct. See number 9.

Thank you.

I think it's interesting that it's "speak your piece" and "hold your peace."

 

[CeriseNoire]

Thank you.

I think it's interesting that it's "speak your piece" and "hold your peace."

You're welcome.

That is interesting. I wonder if perhaps one or both idioms are translations from a language where the word for "piece" and the word for "peace" aren't homophones.

 

[Guest]

would a spendthrift be a cheesenip?

BWAH!

I love cheesenips.

 

[Recidiva]

You're welcome.

That is interesting. I wonder if perhaps one or both idioms are translations from a language where the word for "piece" and the word for "peace" aren't homophones.

I always associated both phrases with sort of "wild west" speech. So I imagine that's actually something that was just passed like part of tall tales, like Babe the Big Blue Ox. Tall tales. Part of a storytelling culture that was heard much more than written. Campfire tales. One of those things that made inherent sense until I...tried to write them down.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Thank you.

I think it's interesting that it's "speak your piece" and "hold your peace."

"Speak a piece of your mind" and "Hold yourself in peace" (E.I. keep your pie-hole shut)

 

[Recidiva]

"Speak a piece of your mind" and "Hold yourself in peace" (E.I. keep your pie-hole shut)

Pie hole and corn hole are also very ... evocative or disturbing. Depending on how they're used.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Pie hole and corn hole are also very ... evocative or disturbing. Depending on how they're used.

I really like multi-use words!

 

[Recidiva]

I really like multi-use words!

I love words. I just do, they're the coolest toys ever. Well...except for men. Men and words. Coolest toys ever. And women.

 

[MagicaPractica]

Interesting. I'd never heard of blue stocking, though I had heard of leather stocking tales.

 

[cloudy]

BWAH!

I love cheesenips.

You, Sher, and I share the same sick sense of humor, apparently.

 

[Guest]

You, Sher, and I share the same sick sense of humor, apparently.

Was there ever any doubt?

 

[Carnevil9]

How about the biggest, baddest, importantest why-is-it-called-that word: Why do they call it a blowjob when it mostly involves sucking?

 

[CharleyH]

Bluestocking.

I know what it means - an (inappropriately) bookish female. But why stockings? And why blue ones? Does anyone know the origin of the term, or know of a good resource for researching the origins of vintage slang?

Also:

macaroni - not the pasta, but the dandy.

Apologies ... I thought the thread was called "THAT" thread because of Marlo Thomas.

Let me look it up, Never heard the term, so it's curious to me. My first guess might have to do with words like frigid and phrases like blue balls in regards to nylon? Blue Stocking might relate to blue balls in a fetish way, perhaps to a little BDSM in regards to nylon? Not sure and do not know - I am curious.

 

[MrsDeathlynx]

How about the biggest, baddest, importantest why-is-it-called-that word: Why do they call it a blowjob when it mostly involves sucking?

I've always wondered that myself...

 

[CharleyH]

I've always wondered that myself...

I am more curious why we suck women, but never blow them?

Sher? You are always on unique point!

 

[CharleyH]

Sher? You are interesting, ad infinitum.

 

[lucky-E-leven]

Snickerdoodle.



This word has always perplexed me.




p.s. Yes, I'm aware it's a cookie. Possibly the stupidest cookie name ever, but who's keeping track?

 

[lisa123414]

Wow, this Etymology refence is great, thank you Hardon-man!

for sher -
macaroni
1599, from southern It. dialect maccaroni (It. maccheroni), pl. of *maccarone, possibly from maccare "bruise, batter, crush," of unknown origin, or from late Gk. makaria "food made from barley." Used after c.1764 to mean "fop, dandy" (the "Yankee Doodle" reference) because it was an exotic dish at a time when certain young men who had traveled the continent were affecting Fr. and It. fashions and accents. There is said to have been a Macaroni Club in Britain, which was the immediate source of the term.

For carnevil - maybe its something to do with this, but i can think of lots of reasons its called a blow job....

blow (n.)
"hard hit," c.1460, blowe, from northern and East Midlands dialects, perhaps from M.Du. blouwen "to beat," of unknown origin; influenced by blow (v.1).