sockdolager

[sardith]

Dr. Goodword,

I just came upon this word 'sockdolager' this morning and am curious about its history. I am wondering if you could get on the case and find out.

Thanks for all your fine work,
Susan Ardith Lee

[skinem]

Interesting...thanks for the post! Look forward to more...

Unfortunately, every where I've looked, the response is the same...etymology unknown...

Hmmmm...

[LukeJavan8]

This is all I can find:



Main Entry: sock·dol·a·ger
Variant(s): or sock·dol·o·ger \säk-ˈdä-li-jər\
Function: noun
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: circa 1830
1 : something that settles a matter : a decisive blow or answer : finisher
2 : something outstanding or exceptional

[sardith]

I am still looking for Dr. Goodword's take on this elusive word, but I did locate an interesting clip that you can read, if you follow this link: http://www.worldwidewords.org/weirdwords/ww-soc1.htm

[LukeJavan8]

Sorry, I did not mean to intrude.
I understand you are waiting for the Doc take on the word.
I just am 'trolling' the threads and saw it, thought I would
do a little research.

That site is a good site, I have it bookmarked as well.
I love that word mentioned: Absquatulate.

[LukeJavan8]

Here's a cute word: (from YourDictionary word of day):

GALIMATIAS
Gibberish, foolish talk; unintelligible speech.

Usage: The world galimatias, which itself sounds unintelligible, simply means unintelligible speech. It can be used in reference to speaking gibberish (or “gobbledygook”), although it is often used to describe a rambling and incoherent speech. Perfectly normal patterns of speech that fall outside the purview of an individual, such as legalese or a foreign language, may also be appropriately described as galimatias.

Suggested Usage: If you can’t understand what someone else means, whether they’re speaking a language you don’t speak or just using words outside of your vocabulary, introduce a vocab word of your own: galimatias! Whatever the context, crying “galimatias” is a fun way to discredit the words or arguments of others. Best of all, it doesn’t sound particularly mean; just kind of silly. (It is, therefore, to be used liberally around people way smarter than you.)

Etymology: When it first came into use in English, galimatias was also spelled gallimatias. It is French in origin. In fact, the word means the same thing in French—utter nonsense—as it does in English. It has been suggested that the word is a popular variation of the French term galimafrée, which means a medley. The English word gallimaufry, which means a mix or jumble, reflects this origin.

[LukeJavan8]

I've used gallimaufry: olio, ort, or mix or medley. But its
cousin discussed here is new to me....galimatias.

[sardith]

Thanks for the new word.

I am just curious about the sign-off at the bottom of all of your posts. Why are you looking for the illustrations of wooly farm animals?

[LukeJavan8]

It is a main phrase from the book "The Little Prince"
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/littleprince/summary.html
by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

also : http://books.google.com/books?id=vlr0uq ... ry&f=false



It is not a child's book, but a philosophical expose.
A very short book : only about 90 pages of text.
It is a favorite of mine, and decades ago, when I taught
French, I used the original French version in my
second year classes.

Thanks for asking.