[lit-ideas] Re: high dudgeon
- From: "Julie Krueger" <juliereneb@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2007 12:44:47 -0600
Thanks -- I called a friend on her use of "dungeon", when she meant
"dudgeon", the other day and of course a matter of the origin of the word
arose. I love these odd mysteries of words apparently born out of the
blue. I always suspect there's some frightfully funny tale about their
coming into being. Sometimes I make up scenarios ... for fun. It's kind
of like what our family called "the dictionary game" -- when I was a kid,
our family played it often with guests or simply family night fun. I often
thought the definitions we came up with beat the real usage of the words by
a mile.
Julie Krueger
On Dec 7, 2007 6:29 AM, <Jlsperanza@xxxxxxx> wrote:
> "Everything I can find on-line suggests that the origin of "dudgeon" (as in,
> "she strode out in high dudgeon"), is unknown. Not only is it unknown, but
> there don't even seem to be the usual guesses. Does anyone have an insight?
>
> Julie Krueger
> (close to a high dudgeon myself)"
>
> ---- Thanks for the query. The etymology is unknown. Relate it to Welsh,
> 'dygen' (malice)
>
> seems "historically and phonetically baseless".
>
> -----
>
> From the OED
>
> dudgeon: Origin unknown; identical in form with precedent form, dudgeon; but
>
> provisionally separated as having, so far as is known, no connexion of sense.
>
> Cf. ENDUGINE.
>
> A conjectural derivation from Welsh *dygen* malice, resentment, appears to be
>
> historically and phonetically baseless.
>
> Defined as, "a feeling of anger, resentment, or offence; ill humour.
>
> Almost always in phr. "*in dudgeon*," and esp. with qualifying adj., as
> *high*, *great*, *deep*.
>
>
> QUOTES:
>
> *1573* G. HARVEY *Letter-bk.* (Camden) 28
>
> Who seem'd to take it in marvelus great duggin.
>
> *1592* GREENE *Disput.* 6 Taking it in dudgion, that they should be put down
> by a Pesant.
>
> *1663* BUTLER *Hudibras* I. i. 1
>
> When civil dudgeon first grew high.
>
> *1687* CONGREVE *Old Bach.* II. ii,
>
> I hope you are not going out in dudgeon, cousin?
>
> *1781* F. BURNEY *Diary* May,
>
> I returned without..any remaining appearance of dudgeon in my phiz.
>
> *1816* SCOTT *Antiq.* v, They often parted in deep dudgeon.
>
> *1862* TROLLOPE *Orley F.* xxvii. (1873) 195
>
> You must not be in a dudgeon with me.
>
> *1865* LIVINGSTONE *Zambesi* ix. 197 He went off in a high dudgeon.
>
> *1885* *Manch. Exam.* 23 Feb. 5/3
>
> [He] resigned his position as reporter of the Committee in high dudgeon.
>
> *attrib.* and *adj.* Resentful, spiteful; ill-humoured.
>
> *1589* *Pappe w. Hatchet* Cb,
>
> If such a one doo but nod, it is right dudgin and deepe discretion.
>
> *1599* NASHE *Lenten Stuffe* (1871) 5
>
> Those dull-pated pennifathers, that in such dudgeon scorn rejected him.
>
> *1625* LISLE *Du Bartas, Noe* 128 Another speaketh low, one dudgen is and
> spightful.
>
> Hence *[image: {sm}]dudgeon* *v.*, to be in dudgeon. *rare*.
>
> *1859* G. MEREDITH *R. Feverel* xxxviii, You've never been dudgeoning already.
>
>
>
>
>
>
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