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From Robin
Actually, that would be an acronym, but, unfortunately, swag isn't. The word came first, with the current meaning, as discussed last issue, of "free promotional stuff". The meaning has now broadened so that the free promotional stuff is no longer inexpensive, and now it is given as a reward or kickback for business. The phrase that is the supposed source of the acronym was back-formed from the word. From RS&A:
Rather appropriate here, but yet another apocryphal explanation of the origin of the word swag. |
From Judith Baron
Excellent! We were assuming that a Yiddish word was influencing the current pronunciation of English swag (as schwag), but we hadn't found that word, yet. Until now. These are two different words (though they may be ultimately related - we just need to do some Yiddish/Old High German etymology sleuthing) with similar meanings, so that one is affecting the pronunciation of the other. Fascinating. |
From John Nevill:
The OED identifies a swage as "a tool for bending cold metal (or moulding potter's clay) to the required shape; also, a die or stamp for shaping metal on an anvil, in a press, etc." To swage is "to shape or bend by means of a swage." The word derives from Old French souage "an ornamental grooving, moulding, border or mount on a candlestick, basin or other vessel". The theme here is "bending" or "curving", as candlesticks and basins are usually rounded and so any ornamental grooves on them would have been curved or bent, and the original swage tool would "bend" cold metal.. |
From Sue:
[Read our original discussion of pshaw.] We consider the OED (Oxford English Dictionary) to be the ultimate source regarding word meanings, and this is what they say about pshaw:
This is also the meaning that we (M&M) have associated with the word for as far back as we can remember. That is not to say that pshaw's meaning can't be softened. It also may be that a softer meaning is currently gaining popularity. However, we have never heard it used to mean "Aw, shucks". This word, and the meaning given above (which is the only meaning, as far as the OED is concerned), date back to the mid-17th century. |
From David Axelrod:
Well, we are certainly going to believe the Spelling Society on this one! |
Or read the last issue to see what all of these people are talking about! |
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