I was wondering what the connection is (if any) between hysteria and
hysteresis--I don't have enough Greek to hail a taxi.
P
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Poetryetc provides a venue for a dialogue relating to
> poetry and poetics [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
> Behalf Of Robin Hamilton
> Sent: 20 December 2005 10:51
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: "Male hysterics"
>
> > "according to hippocrates hysteria is what happens when your uterus
> > gets up and wanders around your body. so i don't think men can get
> > it."
> >
> > This is the word from my Psych Doc Daughter in training!
> ...
> > Stephen V
>
> This is certainly the derivation and early meaning (why it
> was sometimes refered to as "a fit of the mother"), but the
> Lear quote suggests that it began at least by about 1600 to
> get extended (metaphorically?) to the male sex. In a bit of
> a rush, so haven't had time to chase this -- a look in the
> OED might help re dates.
>
> (Must be useful to have a PsiDoctor in the house, for medical
> emergencies of the mental kind.)
>
> Robin
>
|