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Out of curiosity, how many of you fine folks would know the word "milch" and what it means. (edit I should have added it's still an English word! but yes if you know german you'd know it as it is the same word. ;) ) (Please no spoilers and no cheating by looking it up until after you have thought about it at least!)

#Language #Linguistics #LanguageChange

#Linguistics #language #languageChange
This entry was edited (1 month ago)
in reply to Dianora (Diane Bruce)

Michael Lucas
Michael Lucas
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I read the James Herriott books as a youngster, so I know.

But not going to post spoilers.

in reply to Michael Lucas

Dianora (Diane Bruce)
Dianora (Diane Bruce)
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@mwl It's how I recognized blood letting instruments I once saw at a flea market! I should have done a poll. ;)
@Michael Lucas
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Dianora (Diane Bruce)
Dianora (Diane Bruce)
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@ben Indeed it is the same word!
@Ben Cox
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Dianora (Diane Bruce)
Dianora (Diane Bruce)
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@admin It was still in use in English in 1851 and I was curious how many still knew the word! But yes german word since it is the same root.
@Some Internet Person ✡︎
in reply to Dianora (Diane Bruce)

SteveWatson
SteveWatson
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I've seen it used in fairly modern fiction in exactly the way you have in mind.
in reply to Dianora (Diane Bruce)

Elyse M Grasso
Elyse M Grasso
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Is it cheating to be a Linguistics major who's taken relevant classes and read Chaucer and Le Morte D'Arthur in the original? I think it shows up in Shakespeare as well, and probably the King James Bible.
in reply to Elyse M Grasso

Dianora (Diane Bruce)
Dianora (Diane Bruce)
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@elysegrasso I did some Linguistics as well in Uni though not as a major. I've read some Chaucer in the original as well. ;) (The Prologue is gorgeous! poetryfoundation.org/poems/439…) I have no doubt Shakespeare would have used the word.

The Canterbury Tales: General Prologue

Whan that Aprille with his shour e s soot e , The droghte of March hath perc e d to the root e , And bath e d every veyne in swich licóur Of which vertú engendr e d is the flour; Whan Zephirus eek with his swet e breeth Inspir e d hath in every holt …
The Poetry Foundation
@Elyse M Grasso
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