Horsefeathers
Subtitle: & Other Curious Words
Publisher: Collins
Published: October 22, 2002
Language: eng
Format: Paperback
Number of pages: 256
ISBN-13: 9780060513375
Subjects: Reference; Language Arts & Disciplines; Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy; Language; Semantics; Linguistics; Language Arts & Disciplines / Reference; English language; Etymology
First sentence: The Anglo-Saxon word which has become stirrup was stigrap, and if this were to be literally translated into modern English, it would become "sty-rope" or "climbing-rope" The Anglo-Saxon word is composed of the root stig, from stigan, "to climb" (see under steward for sty, "to climb"), plus rap, "rope" This leads us to the conclusion that the first stirrups were merely short lengths of ropes thrown over the back of the steed, and having loops tied in either end.