Where did we get the word, "dog?" If we got the term from OG, we'd say, "hund," but we don't. If from Latin, we'd say, "canis," but we don't. So why does this word keep dogging me with no apparent etymology? Is it a mongrel word?
O.E. docga, a late, rare word used of a powerful breed of canine. It forced out O.E. hund (the general Gmc. and IE word; see canine) by 16c. and subsequently was picked up in many continental languages (cf. Fr. dogue, Dan. dogge), but the origin remains one of the great mysteries of English etymology.
Come on you raver, you seer of visions, Come on you painter, you piper, you prisoner, and shine!
but the origin remains one of the great mysteries of English etymology
I remember talking about this mysterious etymology awhile ago, but I searched and searched and couldn't find the posts. Darn! That is a really interesting question. Asa, have you posed it on Word Origins?
