>Date: 25 Jun 97 07:03:07 -0700
>From: "Uncle Jazzbeau" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Words words words! -- thole(-pin)
>MIME-Version: 1.0
>
>From Uncle Jazzbeau's Gallimaufry of Words for the Wise.
>
>THOLE. sb. [< OE thol(l; akin to ON thollr, Norw toll, tulle, Sw (ar)tull, Da
>(aar)tol: MLG dolle, dulle, dole, doule, LG dolle, dulle, EFris dolle, dol,
>MDu dolle, Du dol(l. Ulterior etymology uncertain. In ON thollr was also
>"fig-tree", poet. "tree" generally; the connexion of the sense is not clear.
>The history of the English word also shows a hiatus during the whole ME
>period.] 1 : A vertical pin or peg on the side of a boat against which in
>rowing the oar presses as the fulcrum of its action; especially, one of a pair
>between which the oar works: hence a row-lock. 2 : A pin or peg in general;
>specifically, a : A pin by means of which the shafts are fastened to the
>carriage or axle of a cart, etc. b : The handle or nib of a scythe-snathe. --
>Also, thole-pin.
>
>Usage:
>"Our crews then, with no lack of order but with an obedient spirit,
>prepared their evening meal, while each sailor
>looped his oar about its thole-pin so that it fitted well."
>[Aeschylus. The Persians. ll.375f.]
>
>Where thole-pin is the translation of Greek skalmos. Below is the original
>Greek text (V^ is a long vowel).
>
>hoi d' ouk akosmo^s, alla peitharcho^i phreni
>deipnon t' eporsunonto, naubate^s t' ane^r
>tropouto ko^pe^n skalmon amph' eue^retmon.
>
>Uncle Jazzbeau
>x63180
>
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