Another excellent foray into language and history, and a fitting memorial to your father! I'd been told "grass widow" came from the concept that she is a "widow whose husband is still on this side of the grass." It made sense, but now I see it was merely a plausible (but not accurate) explanation. As I've commented on some of your other videos, I really appreciate what you do. What is the donation site/mechanism again?
Thank you! I hadn't heard that explanation, but it's not implausible; and it's true that the exact origin is not totally secure, but the original meaning of 'discarded mistress' does suggest a different source. And if you should be moved to donate, thank you! It's Patreon: www.patreon.com/TheEndlessKnot
Nice to see such a thoughtful tribute to Shiv. As another family connection, I note that your sons' great-great-grandfather James McMaster, my grandfather, was a batman (one of the words discussed in the video) in the Royal Marines, travelling to many parts of the coast of Africa and throughout the Pacific in the 1920s and 30s, no doubt guarding the interests of the much-discussed British Empire.
Imperialism: divide and rule... and make widows as necessary. I came across "grass widow" at some point in a context of a husband having abandoned his wife for another woman. Without much thought into the expression, I figured it had something to do with the grass being greener (for him) or of it being "not real" in the sense of a straw man, or possibly with him being a snake in the grass. I didn't realize it went farther back. I suppose in this sense, if he leaves his new lover, then she'll be a grass widow too... seriously, people, just be honest and follow the Mountbattens' lead instead. LOL In the sense of a mistress, the first thing that popped into my head was about grazing a while and then moving on. Associations and mental imagery created and how much a word sounds like (possibly unrelated) other words are obviously a big part of what Mark Twain said about lightning and lightning bugs. Maybe all the associations we have with grass kept the expression fresh and expanded the meanings. I'm sorry about your father.
Yes, I think you're right, the many relevancies and idiomatic meanings of 'grass' probably contributed to the expression's vibrancy. Those kinds of multiple resonances are an intangible but important part of etymology, I think. And thank you.
This is interesting for it adds even another dimension of sense to the notion of greenness/color viridis. The primitive meaning behind widow/vidua seems to be "bereft/bereaved" and similar to the Greek-originated orphan. In ancient or traditional Chinese we call male or female widow/widower differently, the male is "鳏（夫）" guan1, the female is "寡（妇）" gua3, interestingly the left part of character for male widower refers to fish. I suspect their pronounciations in modern Chinese have co-evolved because of the entanglement that derived from their similar usages and meanings. In Chinese we have a slightly derogative or jestering slangish or colloquial phrasal expression similar to "grasswidow" like "守活寡", literally to live one's chaste life in state of enwidowment while suffering innate sexual desires (esp. when her husband has deceased or sexually unable, while the first character verb "to guard" implies the chastity in state of enwidowment is like something precious needs to be guarded off according to the code of morale). But we don't have the counterpart to mock a widowed male under same circumstances because the males are allowed to marry other one or more women after their former spouse has desceased, was sterile or was thought to be unble to bear offspring for the family, or even kicked out from the house by her very husband. The notion of "put to grass" in sense of put out of office, authority again coincides with respective Chinese expression "在野" (in the field, in the grass, in campo, in situ) in term of metaphor being used, what we say "在野党" (the opposition party) as opposed to “执政党” (the standing party) implies that the first one was unable to seize the power or authority so it fell back in the field of idleness and out of office(casus de officio?).
"widow" is an already heavy charged word, because of the solitary, melancholic life it conveys; but now it feels gruesome and violent, knowing not only what it means but the connections it has to the cruelty that humans can be capable of. I can't say whose the worst and I know there's no "better" country or group or anything, because theirs cruelty in every step of humanity. But I would really love to say we're "dividing" ourselves from that path, althou with the news we have, it seems that's either a very far away future or even an utopia.
However I found some inconsistency in explanation of "bastard", on wiktionary it reads: Etymology From Middle English bastard, bastarde, from Late Old English bastard (“bastard”), from Anglo-Norman bastard (“illegitimate child”), from Old Low Frankish *bāst (“marriage”) (compare Middle Dutch bast (“lust, heat”)) and derogatory suffix -ard, from Proto-Germanic *banstuz (“bond, tie”) (compare West Frisian boask, boaste (“marriage”)), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰendʰ- (“to tie, bind”); or equivalent to bast + -ard. Cognate with West Frisian bastert (“bastard”), Dutch bastaard (“bastard”), German Bastard (“bastard”), Icelandic bastarður (“bastard”). Probably originally referred to a child from a polygynous marriage of Germanic custom but not sanctioned by the Church. Related to boose.
She said the video was fantastic (well, she is my mom!), and was touched by the picture at the end particularly. I had asked her beforehand if she was ok with me doing this, and mentioning her.
RIP to your Dad, I'm sure he is dearly missed. Your comments about divide and rule and imperial rule were very interesting, it's very sad how ignorant some people like me in Britain are of our imperial past. It's not taught nearly enough in our schools.
Thank you, he is. And I think it's not surprising, but unfortunate (to say the least) that the story of Empire is rarely taught in the kind of depth it needs, especially in the countries that once possessed those Empires.
On the subject of what went on in the hill stations I can recommend John Masters autobiographical book Bugles and a tiger. Available for free here: archive.org/details/BuglesATigerJohnMasters
~7:55 This graphic is misleading, whether or not a person is "Aryan" does not depend on Caste, but ethnicity/language. The association between caste and being "Aryan" is tied into some shady colonial notions of race and empire which framed the high castes as a conquering people and the low castes as subjugated natives, but in reality there are Aryans of low castes and non-Aryans of high castes as well.
![NLE Choppa - Or What ft. 41 (Orchestra Mix) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/biOFASEgSOM/mqdefault.jpg)
May your father rest well. I feel he must've been proud of your work that you put into these videos.
Thank you. I think so.
Another excellent foray into language and history, and a fitting memorial to your father! I'd been told "grass widow" came from the concept that she is a "widow whose husband is still on this side of the grass." It made sense, but now I see it was merely a plausible (but not accurate) explanation. As I've commented on some of your other videos, I really appreciate what you do. What is the donation site/mechanism again?
Thank you! I hadn't heard that explanation, but it's not implausible; and it's true that the exact origin is not totally secure, but the original meaning of 'discarded mistress' does suggest a different source. And if you should be moved to donate, thank you! It's Patreon: www.patreon.com/TheEndlessKnot
Most probably Patreon I guess...
Nice to see such a thoughtful tribute to Shiv. As another family connection, I note that your sons' great-great-grandfather James McMaster, my grandfather, was a batman (one of the words discussed in the video) in the Royal Marines, travelling to many parts of the coast of Africa and throughout the Pacific in the 1920s and 30s, no doubt guarding the interests of the much-discussed British Empire.
I didn't know that! Thank you for that most interesting tidbit!
I didn't realize I had missed this video! August last year was crazy for me. Great homage to your father.
Thank you! Much appreciated.
I’m sorry for your loss, and thank you for the video
Thank you
I first learned of the term Strohwitwe (straw widow) when I was learning to speak German.
Imperialism: divide and rule... and make widows as necessary.
I came across "grass widow" at some point in a context of a husband having abandoned his wife for another woman. Without much thought into the expression, I figured it had something to do with the grass being greener (for him) or of it being "not real" in the sense of a straw man, or possibly with him being a snake in the grass. I didn't realize it went farther back. I suppose in this sense, if he leaves his new lover, then she'll be a grass widow too... seriously, people, just be honest and follow the Mountbattens' lead instead. LOL
In the sense of a mistress, the first thing that popped into my head was about grazing a while and then moving on. Associations and mental imagery created and how much a word sounds like (possibly unrelated) other words are obviously a big part of what Mark Twain said about lightning and lightning bugs. Maybe all the associations we have with grass kept the expression fresh and expanded the meanings.
I'm sorry about your father.
Yes, I think you're right, the many relevancies and idiomatic meanings of 'grass' probably contributed to the expression's vibrancy. Those kinds of multiple resonances are an intangible but important part of etymology, I think. And thank you.
"play in golf a lot" you might make an episode on Mar-A-Lago
Have you done a video about "canoe" yet? I'd love to see how you explore its etymology.
Not yet -- but having just spent 2 weeks at the cottage, in and out of canoes, they're on my mind too! I'll put it on the list, thanks.
This is interesting for it adds even another dimension of sense to the notion of greenness/color viridis. The primitive meaning behind widow/vidua seems to be "bereft/bereaved" and similar to the Greek-originated orphan. In ancient or traditional Chinese we call male or female widow/widower differently, the male is "鳏（夫）" guan1, the female is "寡（妇）" gua3, interestingly the left part of character for male widower refers to fish. I suspect their pronounciations in modern Chinese have co-evolved because of the entanglement that derived from their similar usages and meanings. In Chinese we have a slightly derogative or jestering slangish or colloquial phrasal expression similar to "grasswidow" like "守活寡", literally to live one's chaste life in state of enwidowment while suffering innate sexual desires (esp. when her husband has deceased or sexually unable, while the first character verb "to guard" implies the chastity in state of enwidowment is like something precious needs to be guarded off according to the code of morale). But we don't have the counterpart to mock a widowed male under same circumstances because the males are allowed to marry other one or more women after their former spouse has desceased, was sterile or was thought to be unble to bear offspring for the family, or even kicked out from the house by her very husband. The notion of "put to grass" in sense of put out of office, authority again coincides with respective Chinese expression "在野" (in the field, in the grass, in campo, in situ) in term of metaphor being used, what we say "在野党" (the opposition party) as opposed to “执政党” (the standing party) implies that the first one was unable to seize the power or authority so it fell back in the field of idleness and out of office(casus de officio?).
Thanks!!!
"widow" is an already heavy charged word, because of the solitary, melancholic life it conveys; but now it feels gruesome and violent, knowing not only what it means but the connections it has to the cruelty that humans can be capable of. I can't say whose the worst and I know there's no "better" country or group or anything, because theirs cruelty in every step of humanity. But I would really love to say we're "dividing" ourselves from that path, althou with the news we have, it seems that's either a very far away future or even an utopia.
However I found some inconsistency in explanation of "bastard", on wiktionary it reads:
Etymology
From Middle English bastard, bastarde, from Late Old English bastard (“bastard”), from Anglo-Norman bastard (“illegitimate child”), from Old Low Frankish *bāst (“marriage”) (compare Middle Dutch bast (“lust, heat”)) and derogatory suffix -ard, from Proto-Germanic *banstuz (“bond, tie”) (compare West Frisian boask, boaste (“marriage”)), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰendʰ- (“to tie, bind”); or equivalent to bast + -ard. Cognate with West Frisian bastert (“bastard”), Dutch bastaard (“bastard”), German Bastard (“bastard”), Icelandic bastarður (“bastard”). Probably originally referred to a child from a polygynous marriage of Germanic custom but not sanctioned by the Church. Related to boose.
Out of curiosity, how did your mom react to your tribute?
She said the video was fantastic (well, she is my mom!), and was touched by the picture at the end particularly. I had asked her beforehand if she was ok with me doing this, and mentioning her.
R.I.P.
damn.. that was good
Thanks!
RIP to your Dad, I'm sure he is dearly missed. Your comments about divide and rule and imperial rule were very interesting, it's very sad how ignorant some people like me in Britain are of our imperial past. It's not taught nearly enough in our schools.
Thank you, he is. And I think it's not surprising, but unfortunate (to say the least) that the story of Empire is rarely taught in the kind of depth it needs, especially in the countries that once possessed those Empires.
On the subject of what went on in the hill stations I can recommend John Masters autobiographical book Bugles and a tiger. Available for free here: archive.org/details/BuglesATigerJohnMasters
Thank you! I'll take a look.
Chicane also means an argument in French
Sorry for your father
Thank you.
Speaking of grass widows, pack saddles, bat men and their loads... HAHA Couldn't resist.
~7:55 This graphic is misleading, whether or not a person is "Aryan" does not depend on Caste, but ethnicity/language. The association between caste and being "Aryan" is tied into some shady colonial notions of race and empire which framed the high castes as a conquering people and the low castes as subjugated natives, but in reality there are Aryans of low castes and non-Aryans of high castes as well.