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Usenet Posted 19 years ago
Usage
SMASHING - ETYMOLOGY
smashing - excellent or fine
it is possible the word derives from the Scottish Gaelic 'is-math-sin' which means good or fine and is pronounced sma-shin,
it is possible the word derives from the Scottish Gaelic 'is-math-sin' which means good or fine and is pronounced sma-shin,
Top answer
[nq:1]smashing - excellent or fine it is possible the word derives from the Scottish Gaelic 'is-math-sin' which means good or fine and is pronounced sma-shin,[/nq] Are you asking us or telling us? " " If you're telling us, why?
- [nq:1]smashing - excellent or fine it is possible the word derives from the Scottish Gaelic 'is-math-sin' which means good or fine and is pronounced sma-shin,[/nq] Are you asking us or telling us?
- " " If you're telling us, why?
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9 Answers
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[nq:1]smashing - excellent or fine it is possible the word derives from the Scottish Gaelic 'is-math-sin' which means good or fine and is pronounced sma-shin,[/nq]
Are you asking us or telling us? If you're asking us, the answer is "Yes, the expression "smashing!" as an exclamation of approval is almost certainly a malapropism for the Gaelic expression "Is math sin!" meaning "it's good!" "
Are you asking us or telling us? If you're asking us, the answer is "Yes, the expression "smashing!" as an exclamation of approval is almost certainly a malapropism for the Gaelic expression "Is math sin!" meaning "it's good!" "
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[nq:2]smashing - excellent or fine it is possible the word derives from the Scottish Gaelic 'is-math-sin' which means good or fine and is pronounced sma-shin,[/nq]
[nq:1]Are you asking us or telling us? If you're asking us, the answer is "Yes, the expression "smashing!" as an exclamation of approval is almost certainly a malapropism for the Gaelic expression "Is math sin!" meaning "it's good!"
[nq:1]Are you asking us or telling us? If you're asking us, the answer is "Yes, the expression "smashing!" as an exclamation of approval is almost certainly a malapropism for the Gaelic expression "Is math sin!" meaning "it's good!"
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[nq:1]smashing - excellent or fine it is possible the word derives from the Scottish Gaelic 'is-math-sin' which means good or fine and is pronounced sma-shin,[/nq]
Many things are possible, but this is a very unlikely derivation for "smashing".
Another poster has pointed out that the word is of American origin.
However, ignoring that for a moment, a Scots Gaelic word would firstly
Many things are possible, but this is a very unlikely derivation for "smashing".
Another poster has pointed out that the word is of American origin.
However, ignoring that for a moment, a Scots Gaelic word would firstly
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[nq:2]smashing - excellent or fine it is possible the word derives from the Scottish Gaelic 'is-math-sin' which means good or fine and is pronounced sma-shin,[/nq]
[nq:1]Many things are possible, but this is a very unlikely derivation for "smashing". Another poster has pointed out that the word is of American origin.[/nq]
amd where do americans come from ?
many millions came from scotl
[nq:1]Many things are possible, but this is a very unlikely derivation for "smashing". Another poster has pointed out that the word is of American origin.[/nq]
amd where do americans come from ?
many millions came from scotl
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[nq:1]However, ignoring that for a moment, a Scots Gaelic word would firstly need to be borrowed into the English spoken ... It might still have limited currency unless it appeals to and is taken up more widely by other English speakers.[/nq]
thats probably exactly what happened.
thats probably exactly what happened.
00
[nq:1]smashing - excellent or fine it is possible the word derives from the Scottish Gaelic 'is-math-sin' which means good or fine and is pronounced sma-shin,[/nq]
This is an example of a phenomenon that J. R. R. Tolkien attacked in his O'Donnell lecture of 1963, "On English and Welsh": *** fantasy entomologies. Among other observations he wrote that "anything is possible in the fabulous Celti
This is an example of a phenomenon that J. R. R. Tolkien attacked in his O'Donnell lecture of 1963, "On English and Welsh": *** fantasy entomologies. Among other observations he wrote that "anything is possible in the fabulous Celti
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[nq:2]smashing - excellent or fine it is possible the word derives from the Scottish Gaelic 'is-math-sin' which means good or fine and is pronounced sma-shin,[/nq]
[nq:1]This is an example of a phenomenon that J. R. R. Tolkien attacked in his O'Donnell lecture of 1963, "On ... is possible in the fabulous Celtic twilight, which is not so much a twilight of the gods as of reason."[/nq]
well
[nq:1]This is an example of a phenomenon that J. R. R. Tolkien attacked in his O'Donnell lecture of 1963, "On ... is possible in the fabulous Celtic twilight, which is not so much a twilight of the gods as of reason."[/nq]
well
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[nq:1]This is an example of a phenomenon that J. R. R. Tolkien attacked in his O'Donnell lecture of 1963, "On English and Welsh": *** fantasy entomologies.[/nq]
Isn't Shelob fantasy entomology?
Chris R
Isn't Shelob fantasy entomology?
Chris R
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[nq:2]However, ignoring that for a moment, a Scots Gaelic word ... and is taken up more widely by other English speakers.[/nq]
[nq:1]thats probably exactly what happened.[/nq]
I would say "possibly".
Insufficient evidence has been presented here to allow us to judge with certainty one way or another.
Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.english.usage)
[nq:1]thats probably exactly what happened.[/nq]
I would say "possibly".
Insufficient evidence has been presented here to allow us to judge with certainty one way or another.
Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.english.usage)
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