Thought it might be worthwhile sharing a snippet or two from these etymological presentations, continuing with Origins of Pub Names
If you think you know someone who would like to hear me speak on this subject, drop me a line.
Showing posts with label lion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lion. Show all posts
Sunday, 28 December 2025
Origins of Pub Names
A few will be aware I have been known to speak on various subjects over the years. Fundamentally these all revolve around my favourite subject of etymology. Have always enjoyed bringing this fascinating subject to others. It’s not for me to say whether the audiences have, although many have asked me to return.
Thought it might be worthwhile sharing a snippet or two from these etymological presentations, continuing with Origins of Pub Names
I once worked at a pub called the Ale Stake. It had the story of the origin of the name on the wall, saying it recalled Saxon to Medieval times, when travelers were alerted to a home brew available nearby with a tree where the lower branches had been removed and a sheaf of barley tied at eye level.
Pub names generally fall into a handful of categories: Heraldic, such as the Red lion; Royalist, the Royal Oak being one; the church, such as the Cross Keys; the product, the Three Tuns; and welcoming and humorous, such as the Dew Drop Inn.
If you think you know someone who would like to hear me speak on this subject, drop me a line.
Thought it might be worthwhile sharing a snippet or two from these etymological presentations, continuing with Origins of Pub Names
If you think you know someone who would like to hear me speak on this subject, drop me a line.
Sunday, 14 September 2025
Sheepish
When contemplating the word sheepish, I wondered whether it just might have a different etymology to the animal. And are there any other animal references used as adjectives? Well to start with the sheep, it’s purely from the Germanic language group, older versions use ‘ram’ and ‘ewe’. Note while Old English used scap for both singular and plural, Old Northumbrian used scipo as the singular.
Sheep has appeared in various idioms. Wolf in sheep’s clothing appears in Matthew 15; Counting sheep to induce sleep is recorded in 1854 but doesn’t seem to have become popular until the 1870s; giving sheep’s eyes is seen from 1520.
Sheepish used to mean ‘bashful’ is first seen in the 1690s, although Chaucer had used ‘sheepy’. As expected it has the same etymology.
When it comes to other animal-style adjectives, I could only really find one in regular use – Asinine correctly ‘relating to donkeys’ but also describing foolishness. Just why a donkey should be considered foolish, I have no clue.
A couple of other adjectives less commonly used, are: Vulpine for ‘cunning’; and Cervine ‘grace, elegance’.
I did find a few traits associated with certain animals. These describe traits attributed to such species, although I think they are being anthropomorphised instead of looking at the real reasons for such behavior.
Foxes are described as both sly and cunning – I think they mean ‘successful’.
Lions are often said to be majestic – clearly derived from the idea they are king of beasts, and that idea of anthropomorhising creatures is clear in such drivel as The Lion King and other Disney dross.
But the worst of the lot is surely describing a dog as ‘loyal’ – no, it wants food the easiest way possible and you’re its meal ticket.
A few other misnomers. Dead as a dodo – no, they’re not dead they’re extinct; dead as a badger would make more sense as the vast majority of badgers are seen at the side of the road with legs in the air.
As strong as an ox – ludicrous, an ox isn’t strong it’s big – and two oxen are twice as strong anyway.
Proud as a peacock – peacocks have a very small brain size relative to its body, it doesn’t have an IQ big enough to know what pride is.
Wise as an owl – on a list of birds, owls are only halfway when it comes to intellect.
Sheep has appeared in various idioms. Wolf in sheep’s clothing appears in Matthew 15; Counting sheep to induce sleep is recorded in 1854 but doesn’t seem to have become popular until the 1870s; giving sheep’s eyes is seen from 1520.
Sheepish used to mean ‘bashful’ is first seen in the 1690s, although Chaucer had used ‘sheepy’. As expected it has the same etymology.
When it comes to other animal-style adjectives, I could only really find one in regular use – Asinine correctly ‘relating to donkeys’ but also describing foolishness. Just why a donkey should be considered foolish, I have no clue.
A couple of other adjectives less commonly used, are: Vulpine for ‘cunning’; and Cervine ‘grace, elegance’.
I did find a few traits associated with certain animals. These describe traits attributed to such species, although I think they are being anthropomorphised instead of looking at the real reasons for such behavior.
Foxes are described as both sly and cunning – I think they mean ‘successful’.
Lions are often said to be majestic – clearly derived from the idea they are king of beasts, and that idea of anthropomorhising creatures is clear in such drivel as The Lion King and other Disney dross.
But the worst of the lot is surely describing a dog as ‘loyal’ – no, it wants food the easiest way possible and you’re its meal ticket.
A few other misnomers. Dead as a dodo – no, they’re not dead they’re extinct; dead as a badger would make more sense as the vast majority of badgers are seen at the side of the road with legs in the air.
As strong as an ox – ludicrous, an ox isn’t strong it’s big – and two oxen are twice as strong anyway.
Proud as a peacock – peacocks have a very small brain size relative to its body, it doesn’t have an IQ big enough to know what pride is.
Wise as an owl – on a list of birds, owls are only halfway when it comes to intellect.
Sunday, 22 September 2019
Pakistan Place Names Explained
Having blogged samples of my books on English place names and also examined the etymologies of the nations of the world and their respective capitals I thought it time I cast my net a little wider. As English place names share some links to other tongues it would be interesting to see if any of the elements contributing to our place names could be found elsewhere. Continuing an alphabetical tour of the world and a look at the largest Pakistan's cities.
Karachi is reputed as being founded in 1729 as Kolachi and said to have honoured Mai Kolachi, she a fisherwoman who settled here. When her husband was lost in a storm she, despite warnings to the contrary, went to search for him and proved successful. Interestingly her surname is said to come from the Baloch tribe originating from Kulanch, while Mai is a word still used to mean 'respected lady'.
Lahore has a number of suggested origins, most often cited as coming from Ravawar (R to L is common in languages derived from Sanskrit), itself a simplified version of the name Iravatyawar, from the Ravi River or Iravati, she the daughter of Kadru and Kasyapa in Indian mythology. Hindu legend suggests the name comes from Lavpur or Lavpuri meaning 'city of Lava'. This is not molten rock but named after its founder, Prince Lava, the son of Sita and Rama.
Faisalabad means 'the city of Faisal' and named after King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, a great benefactor to Pakistan. Earlier, during the time of the British Raj, the place was named after the Lieutenant-Governor of Punjab, Sir James Broadwood Lyall, where the addition of Sanskrit pur or 'city' gave us the name Lyallpur.
Gujranwala means 'abode of the Gujjars' in Punjabi, this tribe of nomads and grazers living in northern Punjab. Some consider their tribal name to be derived from the area around the Caspian Sea, for their ancestry came from this area and the sea's alternative name of Bahr-e-Khizar produced tribal names of Khizar, Guzar, Gujur, Gurjara, and Gujjar.
Peshawar likely comes from the Sanskrit Purushapura, either 'the city of men' or 'city of Purusha', the latter an ancient king, although likely a fictional one as no evidence has been found.
Multan is possibly from the Old Persian word mulastana 'frontier land' or the Sanskrit word mulasthana a Hindu deity worshipped at the Multan Sun Temple.
Hyderabad was named in honour of Ali, the fourth caliph and a cousin of the prophet Muhammad. It translates as 'Lion City' from haydar 'lion' and abad 'settlement'.
Islamabad is derived from two words abad 'settlement', preceded by the religion meaning 'submission to God'.
Quetta is a variation of the Pashto word Kot meaning 'fortress'.
Sukkur is thought to come from the Arabic word shakkar 'sugar' as sugarcane fields were once abundant here.
Sheikhupura was earlier known as Virk Garh or 'Virk fort', this the name of the tribe resident here. Later it became Jehangirabad, named after the Mughal Emperor Jehangir, with the modern name derived from Jehangir's nickname of Shekhu, coined by his mother.
Note the spellings of the places are English as the piece is written in English.
Karachi is reputed as being founded in 1729 as Kolachi and said to have honoured Mai Kolachi, she a fisherwoman who settled here. When her husband was lost in a storm she, despite warnings to the contrary, went to search for him and proved successful. Interestingly her surname is said to come from the Baloch tribe originating from Kulanch, while Mai is a word still used to mean 'respected lady'.
Lahore has a number of suggested origins, most often cited as coming from Ravawar (R to L is common in languages derived from Sanskrit), itself a simplified version of the name Iravatyawar, from the Ravi River or Iravati, she the daughter of Kadru and Kasyapa in Indian mythology. Hindu legend suggests the name comes from Lavpur or Lavpuri meaning 'city of Lava'. This is not molten rock but named after its founder, Prince Lava, the son of Sita and Rama.
Faisalabad means 'the city of Faisal' and named after King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, a great benefactor to Pakistan. Earlier, during the time of the British Raj, the place was named after the Lieutenant-Governor of Punjab, Sir James Broadwood Lyall, where the addition of Sanskrit pur or 'city' gave us the name Lyallpur.
Gujranwala means 'abode of the Gujjars' in Punjabi, this tribe of nomads and grazers living in northern Punjab. Some consider their tribal name to be derived from the area around the Caspian Sea, for their ancestry came from this area and the sea's alternative name of Bahr-e-Khizar produced tribal names of Khizar, Guzar, Gujur, Gurjara, and Gujjar.
Peshawar likely comes from the Sanskrit Purushapura, either 'the city of men' or 'city of Purusha', the latter an ancient king, although likely a fictional one as no evidence has been found.
Multan is possibly from the Old Persian word mulastana 'frontier land' or the Sanskrit word mulasthana a Hindu deity worshipped at the Multan Sun Temple.
Hyderabad was named in honour of Ali, the fourth caliph and a cousin of the prophet Muhammad. It translates as 'Lion City' from haydar 'lion' and abad 'settlement'.
Islamabad is derived from two words abad 'settlement', preceded by the religion meaning 'submission to God'.
Quetta is a variation of the Pashto word Kot meaning 'fortress'.
Sukkur is thought to come from the Arabic word shakkar 'sugar' as sugarcane fields were once abundant here.
Sheikhupura was earlier known as Virk Garh or 'Virk fort', this the name of the tribe resident here. Later it became Jehangirabad, named after the Mughal Emperor Jehangir, with the modern name derived from Jehangir's nickname of Shekhu, coined by his mother.
Note the spellings of the places are English as the piece is written in English.
Sunday, 7 April 2019
Malawi Place Names Explained
Having blogged samples of my books on English place names and also examined the etymologies of the nations of the world and their respective capitals I thought it time I cast my net a little wider. As English place names share some links to other tongues it would be interesting to see if any of the elements contributing to our place names could be found elsewhere. Continuing an alphabetical tour of the world and a look at the largest Malawi settlements.
Livingstonia was founded by missionaries from the Free Church of Scotland and named after perhaps the most famous missionary to Africa, David Livingstone who died in 1873.
Lilongwe is named after the Lilongwe River, itself likely meaning simply 'the big one'.
Bangula is a delightful name describing this part of Malawi as 'where lions roar', although Panthera leo has not been seen in the area for decades.
Blantyre is named after Blantyre in Scotland, birthplace of David Livingstone.The name is ultimately from Cumbric blaen tir 'top of the land'.
Monkey Bay is, as the form suggests, a very modern name and it is no coincidence this place, named because of its primates, is also the major tourist area of Malawi.
Nkhotakota is from Chichewa meaning 'corner corner'. Undoubtedly named for some obvious feature in the landscape, just what that was is difficult to know and thus impossible to say why it is plural.
Note the spellings of the places are English as the piece is written in English.
Livingstonia was founded by missionaries from the Free Church of Scotland and named after perhaps the most famous missionary to Africa, David Livingstone who died in 1873.
Lilongwe is named after the Lilongwe River, itself likely meaning simply 'the big one'.
Bangula is a delightful name describing this part of Malawi as 'where lions roar', although Panthera leo has not been seen in the area for decades.
Blantyre is named after Blantyre in Scotland, birthplace of David Livingstone.The name is ultimately from Cumbric blaen tir 'top of the land'.
Monkey Bay is, as the form suggests, a very modern name and it is no coincidence this place, named because of its primates, is also the major tourist area of Malawi.
Nkhotakota is from Chichewa meaning 'corner corner'. Undoubtedly named for some obvious feature in the landscape, just what that was is difficult to know and thus impossible to say why it is plural.
Note the spellings of the places are English as the piece is written in English.
Sunday, 30 September 2018
India Place Names Explained
Having blogged samples of my books on English place names and also examined the etymologies of the nations of the world and their respective capitals I thought it time I cast my net a little wider. As English place names share some links to other tongues it would be interesting to see if any of the elements contributing to our place names could be found elsewhere. Continuing an alphabetical tour of the world and a look at the largest Indian cities.
Mumbai comes from Mumba or Maha-Amba, the goddess of the Koli community. As many will know it was known as Bombay for many years. This has never been the local name but came from the Portuguese bom baim 'good little bay'.
Delhi has more suggestions as to the derivation of its name than the number of letters in the word. Among these are Dhilu or Dilu, a king who built the city here in 50BC; or from Hindi dhili meaning 'loose' and a reference to an iron pillar of Delhi which, owing to poor foundations, had to be relocated; or from the local coinage, the dehliwal, although it would seem more likely to have been named after the place; or the fort of dehali built by King Prithiviraja, although there is no suggestion as to its origins; or from Dilli and a corruption of dehleez or dehali meaning 'threshold' and 'gateway' respectively.
Bangalore is the Anglicised version of Bengaluru, itself from vira gallu or 'hero stone' and referring to a battle fount in the 11th century.
Hyderabad is supposed to refer to 'Haydar's city', where haydar abad translates as 'lion city'.
Ahmedabad could be named after the founder, Sultan Ahmed Shah, in 1411 or, according to other sources, four saints named Ahmed.
Chennai comes from the name of Damarla Chennappa Nayakudu, here in the 17th century.
Kolkata, from Bengali Kolikata, has several explanations: 'field of Kali', a goddess; 'flat area'; 'canal' or 'dug'; or from koli chun or 'quicklime'.
Pune is an abbreviation of Punya-Vishaya meaning 'sacred news'.
Jaipur is named after its 18th century founder Maharaja Jai Singh II.
Lucknow is the Anglicised spelling of Lakhnau and named after Lakshamana, the hero of the Hindu epic Ramayana.
Kanpur may come from 'the town of Khan' or 'town of Karna'.
Nagpur may be named after the river Nag, the origin of which is uncertain.
Visakhapatnam is generally held to be named after the temple built here to Vaisakha, itself lost to rising sea levels.
Indore is named after the Indreshwar Temple.
Thane is from the Sanskrit word sthana or 'place'.
Bhopalis named after or by the 11th century Paramara king Bhoja.
Patna takes its name from Patan, the Hindu goddess Patan Devi.
Vadodara is traditionally held to come from the Sanskrit word vatodar, meaning the belly of the Banyan tree.
Coimbatore comes from, among many suggestions, 'new town of Kovan'.
Madurai may come from the 'sweetness', the idea being this refers to the divine nectar showered on the city by the Hindu god Siva and from his matted hair.
Note the spellings of the places are English as the piece is written in English.
Mumbai comes from Mumba or Maha-Amba, the goddess of the Koli community. As many will know it was known as Bombay for many years. This has never been the local name but came from the Portuguese bom baim 'good little bay'.
Delhi has more suggestions as to the derivation of its name than the number of letters in the word. Among these are Dhilu or Dilu, a king who built the city here in 50BC; or from Hindi dhili meaning 'loose' and a reference to an iron pillar of Delhi which, owing to poor foundations, had to be relocated; or from the local coinage, the dehliwal, although it would seem more likely to have been named after the place; or the fort of dehali built by King Prithiviraja, although there is no suggestion as to its origins; or from Dilli and a corruption of dehleez or dehali meaning 'threshold' and 'gateway' respectively.
Bangalore is the Anglicised version of Bengaluru, itself from vira gallu or 'hero stone' and referring to a battle fount in the 11th century.
Hyderabad is supposed to refer to 'Haydar's city', where haydar abad translates as 'lion city'.
Ahmedabad could be named after the founder, Sultan Ahmed Shah, in 1411 or, according to other sources, four saints named Ahmed.
Chennai comes from the name of Damarla Chennappa Nayakudu, here in the 17th century.
Kolkata, from Bengali Kolikata, has several explanations: 'field of Kali', a goddess; 'flat area'; 'canal' or 'dug'; or from koli chun or 'quicklime'.
Pune is an abbreviation of Punya-Vishaya meaning 'sacred news'.
Jaipur is named after its 18th century founder Maharaja Jai Singh II.
Lucknow is the Anglicised spelling of Lakhnau and named after Lakshamana, the hero of the Hindu epic Ramayana.
Kanpur may come from 'the town of Khan' or 'town of Karna'.
Nagpur may be named after the river Nag, the origin of which is uncertain.
Visakhapatnam is generally held to be named after the temple built here to Vaisakha, itself lost to rising sea levels.
Indore is named after the Indreshwar Temple.
Thane is from the Sanskrit word sthana or 'place'.
Bhopalis named after or by the 11th century Paramara king Bhoja.
Patna takes its name from Patan, the Hindu goddess Patan Devi.
Vadodara is traditionally held to come from the Sanskrit word vatodar, meaning the belly of the Banyan tree.
Coimbatore comes from, among many suggestions, 'new town of Kovan'.
Madurai may come from the 'sweetness', the idea being this refers to the divine nectar showered on the city by the Hindu god Siva and from his matted hair.
Note the spellings of the places are English as the piece is written in English.
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