free·boo·ter\
Pronunciation: 'frE-"bü-t&r
Function: noun
Etymology: by folk etymology from Dutch vrijbuiter, from vrijbuit plunder, from vrij free + buit booty
: PIRATE, PLUNDERER
- free·boot /-"büt/ intransitive verb
Hadn't thought of this word in a while, until I ran across it in a letter written in 1863 from Confederate general Daniel Harvey Hill to Federal general J.G. Foster. (It wasn't a love letter...)
In it Hill accuses Foster of "freebooting" excursions (among other things) while in North Carolina. It is a wonderful, mean letter.
(Reminds me of a bit a comedian has comparing the wonderful educated, flowery language of letters from soldiers of wars past with letter of today's soldiers. An excerpt is read this way.."The dessert makes me very, very hot and sweety.)
Freebooter
I don't know what to think about you anymore Skinem. Are you an invader of privacy, really behind in your reading or both?I ran across it in a letter written in 1863 from Confederate general Daniel Harvey Hill to Federal general J.G. Foster.
Nice word, either way. And look what else turns up when looking up freebooter.
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