Jerry's Language Centre

Curious fact: If I were around in the twelfth century and told a stranger what a 'buxom girl' his son was, he would have thanked me for the compliment. These days, I would receive a slap to the face. The word 'buxom' has since evolved from its meaning of piety and obedience to that of good endowment in a lady's chest [1]. 'Girl', on the other hand, was a synonym for a child of either gender [2]. The marvels of the English language!

Curiosità: nel dodicesimo secolo, se io avessi detto ad uno sconosciuto che 'buxom girl' era suo figlio, lui mi avrebbe ringraziato per il complimento; invece di questi tempi mi avrebbe preso a schiaffi. Da allora (il dodicesimo secolo), il significato della parola 'buxom' è cambiato da 'devoto/obbediente' per ora descrivere una signora ben messa di petto [1]. 'Girl' invece non significava solo bambina, ma anche bambino [2]. Che meraviglia è l'inglese!

[1] T. Burton 'Long Words Bother Me', 2005;
[2] B. Bryson 'Mother Tongue: the story of the English language', 2009;

I had a wonderful time visiting Bari this New Year's Eve. I was inducted into the city's lifestyle by having a Peroni at the 'El Chiringuito' bar on the wharf while observing the locals "tenderise" their octopus. What a way to start the end of the year 😁!