3 ms·
Ironic since "van" means the front, as in vanguard.
by waqf 10y ago
Ironic since "van" means the front, as in vanguard.
- morsch 10y agoI realize you weren't being serious, but this van is an abbreviation of caravan, which ultimately has its origins in Persian: In 16th cent. carouan, < Persian kārwān, in same sense. Found in medieval Latin carvana (Hoveden), caravanna, caravenna (Matt. Paris), and French carvane, from Crusading times, but apparently not in English before 16th cent. The form caravan was perhaps caravane from French.[1] [1] http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/27717#eid10166797 http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/27717#eid10166797