The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-09-17
The Beauties Of PhilOlOgy.

Inc Beauties Oh fnllOlOSJs
That the science of philology is one
as full of beauty as it is of simplicity
the following examples of word-deriva-
ton, selected at random, abundantly
show. 1t is with no intent to display
our literary knowledge that we print
this article. Our purpose is merely to
awaken an interest in department OF
knowledge which is open to all who will
enter it. We give the following deriva-
lions without further preface, assuring
our readers that the information given
below may be depended upon as strict
ly accurate:
Apothecary. In early times it was
the custom of dealers in drugs to carry
their simple remedies about with them
in large earthen pot. When one OF
these worthless appeared in village it
was quite natural Tor the bystanders to
remark, GA pot he carries" From
this phrase arose the word "apothe-
cary
Parson. In the past as in the present
the village preachers duty was to pass
on from house to house of his flock, adj
ministering religious consolation. From
''pass on to ''parson" the transition
was easy and natural.
Arnsy. In the days when the press
gang roamed about the country, seizing
upon the young men, the girls would
Cry out, as they saw their lovers borne
away, ''Ah, mer' In this heart-cry the
word ''army'' had its rise.
Physician. Unlike the medical fra
ternity of the present day, the doctors
of the middle ages were unnecessarily
prompt in demanding their fee. The
phrase ''fee seize on" was finally
corrupted into physician"
Officer. 80, fie, STRIP exclaimed the
rustic maidens, when the epauletted
heroes chucked them under the chin.
This expression was afterward changed
into ''officer."
Aucti0neer. At the vendues, cent
ury or two ago, the salesman was noted
for his extreme sharpness. 1t was al
most impossible for any one to buy
without getting cheated. In one of the
old country districts of old England,
where the people had been shamefully
swindled at one of these sales, they re-
venged themselves on the man who had
so cruelty deceived them by posting
over his door the legend, 'Hawk, shun
here" intimating that even a hawk, an
eminently shrewd bird, would best
shun the premises if he would not get
cheated. BY dropping the "h," Gus
tom always prevalent in England, the
pronunciation of the above phrase was
precisely like that of our present word
''auctioneer."
Surgeon. 1t is related that York
shireman, who had the misfortune to
cut off his finger in ay-cutter, had
his wounds dressed in a very skillful
manner by poor laboring man named
John Smith. In testimony of the Ma
tion's appreciation of his skill, a great
many people having previously suf-
fered greatly in consequence of their
hay-cutter experience, the man was
knighted by the King as Sir John Smith.
Hence the title surgeon" which has
ever since been given to practitioners
of the healing art.
| CGtgut. This name was given to the
strings of violin from the fact that
when bow was drawn across them
even a cat got wild at the sounds
emitted.
Newspaper. Agreat many years ago,
NhOlA ~ Nilillihdl Wuo dUOuu W UO CA0-
cuted, the moose already about his neck,
reprieve came from the King at the
last moment, and the poor wretch's life
was saved. From this timely interven-
ton the custom arose of calling all
writings conveying intelligence as
newspapers, which was gradually
corrupted into our modern word news
paper"
Trousers. Asked William the Con-
queror of maker of raiment, INV
good man, can you make that which
shall cover my chilled limbs?" And the
man replied, throw, sir, can" From
this reply came the word trousers
Editor: In ancient times newspaper
men, unlike their modern representa-
tives, were given to high living and
Jared sumptuously every day They
were dubbed by the facetious folk of
that day EATERS" the chief among
them being called "head eater.'' The
national antipathy of the English for
the aspirate caused them to pronounce
this phrase "'ead-eater, which closely
approximates our word "editor.''
Many more examples of word deriva-
ton might be given, but they are not
necessary 10 our purpose, which was
simply to arouse an interest in the study
of philology. We feel confident that
what we have written will accomplish
our purpose. Philology is one of the
most beautiful of sciences, and so
easy too If you don't know words
derivation, you have only to make
guess and stick to it.-Boston Tran
script.
A Rare Proof Of Devotion.