origins of english words

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Does anyone have information on how to identify which English words have their origin in Celtic, German, or Norman words, and whether these different sources lead to different usages?

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http://www.etymonline.com/

http://ablemedia.com/ctcweb/showcase/roots.html

http://artsci.shu.edu/classics/classics/rootsof.htm

The problem with English is that its origins are so complex and different words have been introduced to the language from different sources at various times in history.

If you google using the phrase "etymological dictionary" or "etymological origins" or "etymological xxxxxxxxx" (insert a phrase) you should find some information. The latter two links I posted have programmes you can download which I hope might be of help.

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Dear goodfielder. Thanks for the prompt response. I will check out those links.

Is your signoff statement a reference to Military service?

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Naw, he's a peeler . . .

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Setanta wrote:

Naw, he's a peeler . . .

lol - what my maternal grandfather said when I joined Very Happy

Or as we say on a email discussion list I have been on for about ten years - the Brotherhood of the Bacon Very Happy

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Ah! the evolution of words.
Peeler is quite the opposite today as it was three hundred years ago...

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hi

I have abook it`s study skills ther is what you want

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goodfielder wrote:

Setanta wrote:
Naw, he's a peeler . . .

lol - what my maternal grandfather said when I joined Or as we say on a email discussion list I have been on for about ten years - the Brotherhood of the Bacon

Heeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheehee . . .

For those less versed in some of the jargon of English, "peeler" was a term applied to English policemen in Ireland (the Royal Irish Constabulary) and later in England itself. This has been replaced by "Bobbies" in England, although "peeler" is still sometimes used in Ireland. The names come from Robert Peel, who was Home Secretary in Lord Liverpool's government in England. He has established the RUC in 1812, and then established the Metropolitan Police in 1829.

http://www.nepolicehistory.homestead.com/files/PC_George_Rutherford_Maddison_Sunderland_Borough_NESPHS_Early_Peelers_NEPHS.jpg

Peelers should not be confused with Emma Peel, however . . .

http://calwestray.tripod.com/images/emma_leather.jpg

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There are quite a few jigs related to 'peeler'.

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Some slang and online dictionaries are:
www.urbandictionary.com
en.wikipedia.org

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Exerpt from "the Man from Ironbark" by Banjo patterson

He lifted up his hairy paw, with one tremendous clout
He landed on the barber's jaw, and knocked the barber out.
He set to work with nail and tooth, he made the place a wreck;
He grabbed the nearest gilded youth, and tried to break his neck.
And all the while his throat he held to save his vital spark,
And "Murder! Bloody murder!" yelled the man from Ironbark.

A peeler man

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Re: origins of english words

elishaf wrote:

Does anyone have information on how to identify which English words have their origin in Celtic, German, or Norman words, and whether these different sources lead to different usages?

What I know for sure is that about 29% of the English words are of Greek origin.

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Re: origins of english words

Ellinas wrote:

What I know for sure is that about 29% of the English words are of Greek origin.

Can you give a source for that?

Just wondering, since English is generally thought to be a language of the Germanic language branch.

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Re: origins of english words

Walter Hinteler wrote:

Ellinas wrote:

What I know for sure is that about 29% of the English words are of Greek origin.

Can you give a source for that?

Just wondering, since English is generally thought to be a language of the Germanic language branch.

Yes it is a Germanic language, but a big percentage of English words is taken from Greek and Latin. And don't forget the words that Germanic languages adopted from Latin language which Latin language adopted by Greek.

I have a dictionary that contains all these words, and explains the Greek word they come from.

For example, from our posts the words ''generally, dictionary, the starting ex-'' have Greek origin. They may don't come from a Greek word with the same meaning, but their roots are in Greek words. The words that are 'clear' Greek words, just with English letters, are many scientific terms.

P.S. Sorry if my English need to be improved a bit Smile

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My English isn't any better - if not worse :wink:

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Walter Hinteler wrote:

My English isn't any better - if not worse :wink:

Where are you from? According to your lattitude and longtittude I calculate somewhere in France or ex-Benelux countries, am I right Smile

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Archimedes was a famous Greek mathematics - but Mercator did better to longitude/latitude :wink:

Germany, Northrhine-Westphalia/Lippstadt (actually it's exactly Bad Waldliesborn, a suburbian part of L.)

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Walter Hinteler wrote:

Archimedes was a famous Greek mathematics - but Mercator did better to longitude/latitude :wink:

Germany, Northrhine-Westphalia/Lippstadt (actually it's exactly Bad Waldliesborn, a suburbian part of L.)

Ah, das ist gut Very Happy

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Here's a goodie.
Who decided to call red red,or blue blue etc ? See where I'm going.
Who decided to name the coloures we all know and love.

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barrythemod wrote:

Here's a goodie.
Who decided to call red red,or blue blue etc ? See where I'm going.
Who decided to name the coloures we all know and love.

That'll likely start a blue.

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origins of english words

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