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One I like is the phrase "the tell-tale signs", which refers to a sailing boat's tell-tales. These are small strings attached to the sails to indicate if the sa
by PJ_Maybe 3y ago
One I like is the phrase "the tell-tale signs", which refers to a sailing boat's tell-tales. These are small strings attached to the sails to indicate if the sail needs to be trimmed for optimal performance.
- carlmr 3y agoI always just imagined that it was signs that tell a tale. And the online etymology dictionary seems to confirm that. https://www.etymonline.com/word/telltale https://www.etymonline.com/word/telltale >also tell-tale, "discloser of secrets," 1540s, from tell (v.) + tale. As an adjective from 1590s. Phrase tell a tale "relate a false or exaggerated story" is from late 13c. Is it maybe that the nautical term comes from plain English?
- Digit-Al 3y agoQuite a lot of folk etymology tries to, incorrectly, assign nautical origins to common words and phrases. I used to read a column by an etymologist that jokingly referred to this using the term CANOE - the Committee to Assign a Nautical Origin to Everything :-)