This week we'll present toponyms: words from place names. We start with one that would also fit last week's 'military' theme.

zabernism – the misuse of military power or authority; bullying, aggression

From the town of Zabern (French Saverne) in Alsace, where ugly incidents of Prussian militarism occurred in late 1913. A more full account of these incidents and etymology will be posted on the board.

the army … is busy in Cologne imprisoning every German who does not salute a British officer; whilst the government at home, asked whether it approves, replies that it does not propose even to discontinue this Zabernism when the Peace is concluded, but in effect looks forward to making Germans salute British officers until the end of the world.
– George Bernard Shaw, Heartbreak House

I wondered if it were related to saber, but I guess not. Here is what the online Random House Dictionary says about the etymology of saber: "[Origin: 1670–80; < F sabre, sable < G Sabel (now Säbel), earlier sewel, schebel < Pol szabla; cf. Czech šavle, Serbo-Croatian sȁblja, Russ sáblya sword, saber, perh. all ult. < Hungarian szablya, though derivation and transmission uncert.]"

You would not expect that today's two toponyms, Trojan horse and troy ounce, refer to two different cities.

Trojan horse – someone or something intended to defeat or subvert from within usually by deceptive means [also used in computerese]
[from the conquest of the city of Troy, as told in the Iliad]

Proposition 90, touted by its backers as a protection against unreasonable government taking of private property … goes far beyond sensible … by making it extremely difficult for government to protect the environment or preserve our quality of life. … Proposition 90 is a Trojan horse …
– Los Angeles Times, Nov. 5, 2006

troy – a system of weights, used mainly for precious metals and gems, with a pound of 12 ounce
[such a system was used at the fair of Troyes, France]

Gold closed in London at $625.20 per troy ounce, up from $623.20 on Wednesday.
– Forbes, Nov. 9, 2006

Sodom – an place noted for extreme vice and corruption
[from Sodom and Gomorrah, the two wicked cities of the plain in Gen. xviii-xix. The same place is the source of the familiar word sodomy.]

All of this controverts the notion that blue-state California is some Sodom on the Pacific.
– Los Angeles Times, Oct. 22, 2006

quote:

All of this controverts the notion that blue-state California is some Sodom on the Pacific

Indeed. Twentieth century American Christian fundamentalism was born in Los Angeles.

Many toponyms are names of cloth or clothing. We have previously mentioned several examples: taffeta, tuxedo, denim and jeans. Here are two more.

jodhpurs – (plural noun; picture here) trousers for horse riding, close-fitting below the knee and with reinforced patches inside the leg.
[after the Indian city (state?) of Jodhpur]

Stimson and General Patton were present, the tall, theatrical Patton resplendent in buckled riding boots, jodhpurs, and a lacquered four-star helmet.
– David McCullough, Truman

I used a western saddle and rode in blue jeeans and cowboy boots, but the president [Reagan] preferred an English saddle, jodhpurs, and polished riding boots.
James Baker III, Work Hard, Study...and Keep Out of Politics!

panama hat – (picture here) a man’s wide-brimmed hat of straw-like material
[after the country of Panama. This is a misnomer, for it was originally made in Ecuador, but it was distributed north from Panama City.]

Sing it!

He wears:
Ttan shoes with pink shoelaces
A polka-dot vest, and man, oh man! He wears
Tan shoes with pink shoelaces,
And a big panama with a purple hat band!
– Dodie Stevens, 1959

This message has been edited. Last edited by: wordcrafter, November 15, 2006 07:50

With Iraq in the news, let's take a toponym from that country.

baldachin – a ceremonial canopy over an altar, throne, or doorway.
[originally denoting a rich brocade from Baghdad: from Italian Baldacco ‘Baghdad’.]

Beyond it was the glittering gold and white altar at which only a pope may say mass, and above the altar Bernini's vast baldachin, 100ft high, its helical columns spiralling up towards Michelangelo's giant cupola and the presumed location of heaven beyond.
– The Guardian, Apr. 5, 2005, at the funeral of Pope John Paul II

Re: Sodom and Gomorrah.

I know what Sodomy is but does anyone know what Gamorrahmy is? Or shouldn't I ask? When ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise.

missann, I checked just for grins. To my surprise, there is indeed such a word. OED would have you think it is rare and obsolete: its last example is 1613. But here's something a bit more recent:

Bill Clinton—the exemplar of baby-boom licentiousness and moral relativism—was brought low by a thong-flashing Gomorrean hussy ...
- Time Magazine, Mar. 28, 2004

quote:

the exemplar of baby-boom licentiousness and moral relativism—was brought low by a thong-flashing Gomorrean hussy ...

That's a lovely couple of phrases!

Sodom has come to be associated with men, so it is logical that Gomorrah would be associated with women. It is possible the Time reporter created a "neologism", that is, "made up" Gomorrean, although the word had existed in the past.

quote:

Sodom has come to be associated with men, so it is logical that Gomorrah would be associated with women.

Very interesting point, Sean. I found this (with a slightly variant spelling):

In the late Middle Ages the notion prevailed that the sister city of Gomorrah had been a hotbed of lesbianism, so that, as late as the time of Marcel Proust, gomorrhean could mean lesbian.
- Language, Violence, and Queer People: Social and Cultural Change Strategies

[QUOTE]Originally posted by missann:
I know what Sodomy is but …QUOTE]

I am not sure that Neveu's Twentieth century American Christian fundamentalists would approve. Fortunately, most of us are without such prejudice.

I was only joking when I asked the qustion. I didn't think there was such a word. However, there is a word for everything.