ETYMOLOGIZING DEPRECATORY REDUPLICATIVE COMPOUNDS OF THE TYPES FLIM-FLAM AND HIGGLEDY-PIGGLEDY (PART I) Cover Image

ETYMOLOGIZING DEPRECATORY REDUPLICATIVE COMPOUNDS OF THE TYPES FLIM-FLAM AND HIGGLEDY-PIGGLEDY (PART I)
ETYMOLOGIZING DEPRECATORY REDUPLICATIVE COMPOUNDS OF THE TYPES FLIM-FLAM AND HIGGLEDY-PIGGLEDY (PART I)

Author(s): William Sayers
Subject(s): Theoretical Linguistics, Applied Linguistics
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego
Keywords: lexicogenesis; lexicography; compound words; etymology; disparagement

Summary/Abstract: Sample English reduplicative compounds on the model of flim-flam and higgledy-piggledy are analyzed for the interplay of formal features (alliteration, vowel alternation, rhyme), semantics (as parts and wholes), and obscure origins. Loans, new coinages, internal realignment, register, and affect are discussed. Inadequacies in earlier lexicographical, especially etymological, treatment are remedied.

  • Issue Year: 135/2018
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 97-106
  • Page Count: 10
  • Language: English
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