SMASHING - ETYMOLOGY

[s***@spaldingray.com]

smashing - excellent or fine

it is possible the word derives from the Scottish Gaelic 'is-math-sin'
which means good or fine and is pronounced sma-shin,

[m***@gmail.com]

Post by s***@spaldingray.com
smashing - excellent or fine
it is possible the word derives from the Scottish Gaelic 'is-math-sin'
which means good or fine and is pronounced sma-shin,

Are you asking us or telling us? If you're asking us, the answer is
"Yes, the expression "smashing!" as an exclamation of approval is
almost certainly a malapropism for the Gaelic expression "Is math sin!"
meaning "it's good!" "

If you're telling us, why?

[Flying Tortoise]

Post by m***@gmail.com

Post by s***@spaldingray.com
smashing - excellent or fine
it is possible the word derives from the Scottish Gaelic 'is-math-sin'
which means good or fine and is pronounced sma-shin,

Are you asking us or telling us? If you're asking us, the answer is
"Yes, the expression "smashing!" as an exclamation of approval is
almost certainly a malapropism for the Gaelic expression "Is math sin!"
meaning "it's good!" "
If you're telling us, why?

Almost certainly? A less convincing etymology one cannot imagine,
especially as the use dates from early 20th Century USA, coming to
England not via her Northern sister but as part of the increasing
transatlantic traffic of the time.

[m***@gmail.com]

Post by Flying Tortoise

Post by m***@gmail.com
Are you asking us or telling us? If you're asking us, the answer is
"Yes, the expression "smashing!" as an exclamation of approval is
almost certainly a malapropism for the Gaelic expression "Is math sin!"
meaning "it's good!" "

Almost certainly? A less convincing etymology one cannot imagine,
especially as the use dates from early 20th Century USA, coming to
England not via her Northern sister but as part of the increasing
transatlantic traffic of the time.

Nonsense. Show some references, or be considered a troll. Many many
sources give "smashing" as Irish in origin. BBC Northern Ireland gives
"smashing" as a word descended from gaelic, along with "hooligan".

[Flying Tortoise]

This post might be inappropriate. Click to display it.

[Peter Duncanson]

Post by s***@spaldingray.com
smashing - excellent or fine
it is possible the word derives from the Scottish Gaelic 'is-math-sin'
which means good or fine and is pronounced sma-shin,

Many things are possible, but this is a very unlikely derivation for
"smashing".

Another poster has pointed out that the word is of American origin.

However, ignoring that for a moment, a Scots Gaelic word would
firstly need to be borrowed into the English spoken by Gaelic
speakers. It would then need to escape from the limited confines of
bilingual Scots Gaelic/English speakers. It might still have limited
currency unless it appeals to and is taken up more widely by other
English speakers.

[s***@spaldingray.com]

On Tue, 23 Jan 2007 14:12:39 +0000, Peter Duncanson

Post by Peter Duncanson

Post by s***@spaldingray.com
smashing - excellent or fine
it is possible the word derives from the Scottish Gaelic 'is-math-sin'
which means good or fine and is pronounced sma-shin,

Many things are possible, but this is a very unlikely derivation for
"smashing".
Another poster has pointed out that the word is of American origin.

amd where do americans come from ?

many millions came from scotland and ireland,

is it not possible that they used the gaelic sma-shin while in america
?

[s***@spaldingray.com]

Post by Peter Duncanson
However, ignoring that for a moment, a Scots Gaelic word would
firstly need to be borrowed into the English spoken by Gaelic
speakers. It would then need to escape from the limited confines of
bilingual Scots Gaelic/English speakers. It might still have limited
currency unless it appeals to and is taken up more widely by other
English speakers.

thats probably exactly what happened.

[Peter Duncanson]

Post by s***@spaldingray.com

Post by Peter Duncanson
However, ignoring that for a moment, a Scots Gaelic word would
firstly need to be borrowed into the English spoken by Gaelic
speakers. It would then need to escape from the limited confines of
bilingual Scots Gaelic/English speakers. It might still have limited
currency unless it appeals to and is taken up more widely by other
English speakers.

thats probably exactly what happened.

I would say "possibly".

Insufficient evidence has been presented here to allow us to judge
with certainty one way or another.

[Martin Ambuhl]

Post by s***@spaldingray.com
smashing - excellent or fine
it is possible the word derives from the Scottish Gaelic 'is-math-sin'
which means good or fine and is pronounced sma-shin,

This is an example of a phenomenon that J. R. R. Tolkien attacked in his
O'Donnell lecture of 1963, "On English and Welsh": bullshit fantasy
entomologies. Among other observations he wrote that "anything is
possible in the fabulous Celtic twilight, which is not so much a
twilight of the gods as of reason."

[s***@spaldingray.com]

On Thu, 25 Jan 2007 10:58:59 -0500, Martin Ambuhl

Post by Martin Ambuhl

Post by s***@spaldingray.com
smashing - excellent or fine
it is possible the word derives from the Scottish Gaelic 'is-math-sin'
which means good or fine and is pronounced sma-shin,

This is an example of a phenomenon that J. R. R. Tolkien attacked in his
O'Donnell lecture of 1963, "On English and Welsh": bullshit fantasy
entomologies. Among other observations he wrote that "anything is
possible in the fabulous Celtic twilight, which is not so much a
twilight of the gods as of reason."

well being a crypto-fascist he would.

anyways do you have a better etymology ?

[ChrisR]

Post by Martin Ambuhl
This is an example of a phenomenon that J. R. R. Tolkien attacked in his
O'Donnell lecture of 1963, "On English and Welsh": bullshit fantasy
entomologies.

Isn't Shelob fantasy entomology?

Chris R