"The dreadnought is also type of acoustic guitar body developed by Martin Guitars in 1916, after the large, all big-gun, modern battleship, HMS Dreadnought (1906). A body much larger than most other guitars provided the dreadnought with a bolder, perhaps richer, and often louder tone. It is distinguished by its size and square shoulders and bottom."
I remember that juggernaut passage in Jekyll and Hyde. I read it for the first time just a few years ago, with my kids, and when we read that they wondered what it meant. I kind of knew, but I think that was the first time I’d actually looked it up and discovered its origin. So many fascinating words!
I'm sorry to report that "pulpit" seems to have a not especially interesting derivation. According to etymonline: "from Late Latin pulpitum 'raised structure on which preachers stand,' in classical Latin 'scaffold; stage, platform for actors,' a word of unknown origin."
Delightful etymology. What a knot of nouns and not for naught.
"The dreadnought is also type of acoustic guitar body developed by Martin Guitars in 1916, after the large, all big-gun, modern battleship, HMS Dreadnought (1906). A body much larger than most other guitars provided the dreadnought with a bolder, perhaps richer, and often louder tone. It is distinguished by its size and square shoulders and bottom."
Not witty, but Wikipedia
I remember that juggernaut passage in Jekyll and Hyde. I read it for the first time just a few years ago, with my kids, and when we read that they wondered what it meant. I kind of knew, but I think that was the first time I’d actually looked it up and discovered its origin. So many fascinating words!
Thank you for the fun. Words are endlessly informative of history and human creativity.
(I love the idea of the Dreadnaught guitar--thanks, Jennifer, for that.
very interesting and enjoyable, not to mention informative
So, what about the derivation of the 'pulpit'?
I'm sorry to report that "pulpit" seems to have a not especially interesting derivation. According to etymonline: "from Late Latin pulpitum 'raised structure on which preachers stand,' in classical Latin 'scaffold; stage, platform for actors,' a word of unknown origin."