P is for Poncho

Tags

Australia, British Isles, Chile, English Language, Etymology, History of English, Language, Languages, Linguistic, Linguistics, Old Norse, Poncho, Word, Words

This is a Wednesday’s Wonderful Words post, in which I chose a word, well-know or otherwise, and discuss why I think it’s so wonderful.

Poncho

  /ˈpɒntʃoʊ/

Noun:

1. A blanket-like cloak with a hole in the center to admit the head, originating in South America, now often worn as a raincoat.

Etymology:

1717; from American Spanish; from Araucanian pontho; ‘woolen material’. Perhaps influenced by Spanish poncho, variant of pocho; ‘discoloured fabric’

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Language Revival: Basque Versus Scottish Gaelic

Tags

Basque, Gaelic, Language, Language death, Language revival, Languages

Thursday’s posts look at sociolinguistics or child language acquisition: accents, stereotypes and how children learn to speak.

Yesterday I had my one day off of the week.

We got the first bus into Bayonne, and it was definitely worth the hour and 45 minutes of feeling like I was about to throw up.

We got there for the end of the race which goes from Biarritz to Bayonne, and had the privilege of watching the making of the omelette. They make a massive omelette (6 foot diameter) and everyone who runs the race gets to eat some. Otherwise, you have to catch a plastic fish from a paddling-pool to get some. It didn’t look too appetising, so I would assume it has more token value than anything else.