Thursday 9 February 2012: Drwy'r ffenestr /Through the window

Pysgod a Sglodion/Fish and Chips, Aberteifi/Cardigan, 1.15 pm


Note: Two of the Welsh words I have used come directly from Latin. The Roman occupation of Britain resulted in many new words being adopted for unfamiliar things, or superceding pre-existing usages. As the original inhabitants were pushed to the margins to become the 'Celtic fringe' they took these words with them while new invaders imposed their north European vocabulary upon the English language and many of the Latin derived words were replaced.

Ffenestr (window) comes from the Latin fenestra, and we preserve that use in the word 'defenestrate'.

Pysgod (fish) comes from the Latin piscis, which is the root of things piscatorial, also the zodiac sign Pisces.

Welsh is often derided for adopting such modern usages as ambwlans/ambulance but what's new? The word comes from Latin anyway.

PS (post scriptum/after writing):
pm = post meridian/after noon

• FinePix F80EXR:
• f/5.5:
• 1/90":
• 23.9mm:
• ISO 1600

• viewed 275 times :
• 42 comments

• about ceridwen :
• view blipfolio