Bread Idioms

Several words have found themselves used in a number of phrases. We looked at 'work' last time and this time it's 'bread'.

Breadwinner is recorded as early as 1719, but the slang term ‘bread’ for money is not recorded before 1940. Clearly the latter comes from ‘breadwinner’, and a reference to bread being the staff of life. Note the Latin panis and French pain, both meaning ‘bread’, have a link to the English ‘pantry’ which was where bread was stored.

Bread an circuses, first seen in English in 1914, comes from the Latin where Duas tantum res anxius optal, Panem et circenes comments on how the ruling classes can keep the populace happy by providing them with food and entertainment.

Bread and butter, a phrase describing one’s most basic needs, is first seen in the 1620s.

Bread basket, aside from a basket to hold bread, is a slang term for the belly, first recorded in 1753. Slightly earlier, dating from around 1590, is another slang term for the belly in ‘pudding house’.

Monkey bread, which is not bread but fruit from the baobab tree, is first seen in a document dated 1789.

Breadwinner, the chief earner, is first seen in 1821.

Nepal 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 Nepalese cities.

Kathmandu is a Pahari name from the Kasthamandap Temple which once stood in Durbar Square. Sanskrit kastha means 'wood' and mandapa 'pavilion', an obvious explanation of what the former place of worship was made from.

Lalitpur has several explanations for its name, these more legend than etymology. Most often these speak of the god Rato Machhindranath, brought to the valley by three people from Assam in India. One of these three was named Lalit, a farmer who had carried the god here to alleviate the appalling drought conditions. The name is said to come from Lalit and his pur or 'township'.

Birgunj was named after the 11th prime minister, Commanding General Shree Shree Shree Maharaja Sir Bir Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana (10 December 1852 to 5 March 1901).

Janakpur is named after the ancient Indian king of Videha, King Janaka reigned around 2,800 years ago.

Tilottama is named after the local river, itself named after an aspara, a celestial nymph in Hindu mythology. Furthermore the word is a portmanteau of two Sanskrit terms, Tila 'sesame seed', or something of similar size, and uttama 'better, higher'. The understanding is of something very small which is still comprised of the finest and most superior qualities.

Tokha is derived from two Newari words, tu 'sugarcane' and khya 'field' and an indication of local delicacy of chaku made from raw sugercane.

Madhyapur Thimi has a number of legends told of how it got its name. We can be sure this area, along with Bhaktapur and Patan, were often battling for superiority for generations. Beginning with Thimi, this is held to be from the term chhemi 'capable people', a reference to their resilience in continuing to live there despite the constant warring. Eventually the name acquired the addition from madhya 'centre' and pu 'city', thus 'the central city of the capable people'.

Chandrapur was named after the prime minister Field-Marshal Maharaja Sri Teen Chandra Shamsher Junga Bahadur Rana, who held office from June 1901 until his death in 1929.

Rajbiraj is named after Rajdevi Temple, with raj meaning 'state' and biraj 'to reside, live'.

Belbari comes from two Nepali names, Bel 'wood apple' (also known as elephant apple or monkey apple) and Bari a tree native to Nepal.

Kirtipur is from the Sanskrit kirti 'glory' and pur 'city'.

Siddharthanagar is from the Buddha's given name of Siddartha, earlier the place was known as Bhairahawa from the deity Bhairava, a manifestation of Shiva.

Note the spellings of the places are English as the piece is written in English.

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.