blunderbus

blunderbus
\ \ [17] Blunderbus was originally Dutch donderbus (literally ‘thundergun’), and its transformation is due to folk etymology: the unfamiliar donder was replaced by the English word blunder, perhaps with some reference to the fact that, with its wide muzzle, it is capable only of fairly random firing. The second part of the word (which also occurs in arquebus) is ultimately related to box, Dutch bus or buis being not just a ‘box’ but also a ‘tube’, and hence a ‘gun’. There is no connection with the 20thcentury thunderbox, a colloquial term for a ‘portable loo’.

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • blunderbus — [17] Blunderbus was originally Dutch donderbus (literally ‘thundergun’), and its transformation is due to folk etymology: the unfamiliar donder was replaced by the English word blunder, perhaps with some reference to the fact that, with its wide… …   The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins

  • blunderbus — An old time firearm good only at short range, since its effectiveness depended upon the scattering of the shot, rather than marksmanship; a derisory term applied to a complaint or petition in many counts, also to an argument of counsel which… …   Ballentine's law dictionary

  • Blunderbus Alley —    South out of Little Thomas Apostle to Great St. Thomas Apostle, east of the churchyard. In Vintry and Cordwainer Wards (O. and M. 1677 Boyle, 1799).    Site rebuilt in the 19th century …   Dictionary of London

  • The Chantays — are an American surf rock band from the early 1960s, known for the hit instrumental, Pipeline (1963). Their music combined electronic keyboards and surf guitar, creating a unique ghostly sound. Contents 1 History 2 Members 3 …   Wikipedia

  • Math rock — Stylistic origins Experimental rock, post hardcore, post punk, noise rock, minimalism, avant garde jazz, progressive rock Cultural origins Late 1980s United States (Chicago, Pittsburgh, San Diego and Los Angeles) and …   Wikipedia

  • Mcenroe — For the tennis player, see John McEnroe. mcenroe, also known as Rod Bailey, is a Canadian hip hop musician, and entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, he is the founder of his record label Peanuts Corn Recordings, an independent hip hop distributor,… …   Wikipedia

  • List of Manning-Sanders tales by region — A region by region list of fairy and folk tales collected and retold by Ruth Manning Sanders (1895 1988). Regions (or cultural groups) are as listed by Manning Sanders in either the table of contents, the forewords or the introductions of her… …   Wikipedia

  • Phyllis McGinley — Infobox Writer name = Phyllis McGinley imagesize = caption = pseudonym = birthdate = March 21, 1905 birthplace = Ontario, Oregon deathdate = February 22, 1978 deathplace = New York occupation = nationality = U.S. period = genre = subject =… …   Wikipedia

  • McGinley, Phyllis — ▪ American poet born March 21, 1905, Ontario, Ore., U.S. died Feb. 22, 1978, New York, N.Y.       American poet and author of books for juveniles, best known for her light verse celebrating suburban home life.       McGinley attended the… …   Universalium

  • mcenroe — For the tennis player, see John McEnroe. mcenroe, also known as Rod Bailey, is a Canadian hip hop musician, and entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, he is the founder of his record label Peanuts Corn Recordings, an independent hip hop distributor,… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”