FCS wrote:
> On Jul 29, 6:36 pm, Blue Sow <janet.r...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>> FCS wrote:
>>> On Jul 28, 11:15 am, Blue Sow <janet.r...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>>>> FCS wrote:
>>>>> On Jul 17, 10:09 am, Blue Sow <janet.r...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>>>>>> FCS wrote:
[snip]
>>> As far as context goes, all sorts of people
>>> say all sorts of things to tappesterres and
>>> especially as the night goes on.
>> Perhaps you could explain what the word 'tappesterres' means and from
which
>> language it is taken.
>
> English.
>
> Either of the Spenserian or Chaucerian variety.
>
Thanks.
>
> In this instance I derived it from Tappestresse,
> but the difference is purely in gender and the
> licensed trades have more of a history of involving
> both than tapestry weaving (seamstressing) does.
And is this how you earn your honest crust? I imagine the hours of
working must
be quite taxing.
> It may not be in widespread use now, with the norm
> being to talk of barmen and barmaids
I would go further and venture that it is not in use at all.
Few people speak Middle English these days.
[snip]
> It's also a nice term to have at hand for historical
> fiction. If I've brought to bear on it a form which
> isn't there in (late-) Middle English would you know
> the correct ending?
A quick look at a ME dictionary, and a general search, revealed no results
for
either form. A search of the ME Corpus (prose and poetry) also revealed
no
results for either form.
>>>> I have not heard (or read) that phrase until this moment.
>>>> Neither has the on-line OED (as recommended elsewhere in this group).
>>> Its usage has been informal in my experience
>>> so far, yes. Although I may have seen it in
>>> print, or something very similar, I could not
>>> stand before a judge and state I definitely have.
>> Informal usage is not a barrier to acceptance into the OED. The amount
of use
>> is a determinant so perhaps if someone else uses it, it may yet achieve
glory.
>
> Not making it into print is though.
That does not apply as OED monitors electronic communications as well as
printed
paper. So, the term has already crossed that 'barrier'.
--
Blue Sow
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