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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Vocabulary
Word origin
I'm working on a linguistics project and recently queried the origin of "conundrum". While I found that it's first known use dates to 1645, the origin was listed as unknown. It would seem that if the first known use was documented that there would be some data related to production of the term. Can you offer any insight or perhaps point me in an appropriate direction from which to start looking. Thank you very much!
Top answer
Hi My best guess is that it is a made-up word in 16th century English, using Latin. " It perhaps echoes "quaerendum" - that which must be questioned or asked about There doesn't seem to be an agreed origin - the above is just my idea.. Best regards, Dave
- Hi My best guess is that it is a made-up word in 16th century English, using Latin.
- " It perhaps echoes "quaerendum" - that which must be questioned or asked about There doesn't seem to be an agreed origin - the above is just my idea..
- Best regards, Dave
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1 Answers
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Hi
My best guess is that it is a made-up word in 16th century English, using Latin. I believe the origin is in Oxford, UK, and refers to a pedantic teacher
It is partly "quo num" and partly a gerund form "dum" = "whatever it is he's talking about - ??"
It perhaps echoes "quaerendum" - that which must be questioned or asked about
There doesn't seem to be an agre
My best guess is that it is a made-up word in 16th century English, using Latin. I believe the origin is in Oxford, UK, and refers to a pedantic teacher
It is partly "quo num" and partly a gerund form "dum" = "whatever it is he's talking about - ??"
It perhaps echoes "quaerendum" - that which must be questioned or asked about
There doesn't seem to be an agre
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