December 16, 2016, 05:10
GeoffTup
A few days ago I saw a movie on TV which used the word,
tup in the context of consummating a marriage. While I know that its original meaning was a ram, hence to do what rams do when they find a ewe, there seems to be no etymology for the word. Has anyone got an idea? And what does this say about the original use of Tupperware?
December 18, 2016, 13:51
arnieThe online etymology dictionary has c.1300 as a first date, and says the word is of unknown origin. The same source gives 'Tupperware
1954, trademark (reg. U.S.), from Earl S. Tupper, president of Tupper Corp., + ware (n.). Patent claims use from 1950.'
I imagine Mr Tupper was unaware of the alternative meaning of his name.
December 18, 2016, 15:15
GeoffI found one reference suggesting that it's Scottish in origin, but without a guess as to its
raison d'etre. I've not observed any rams mounting ewes, so I don't know if there's anything onamatopoeic about it. Just some language flotsam, it seems.
December 19, 2016, 20:51
KallehGeoff, here is an entry in the OED about a Scottish proverb:
quote:
1721 J. Kelly Compl. Coll. Scotish Prov. 307 The Lamb where it's tipped, and the Ewe where she's clipped. A proverbial Rule about Tythes; signifying that the Lamb shall pay Tythes in the Place where the Ewe was when she took the Ram, but the old Sheep where they were shorn