--- In
cybalist@yahoogroups.com, "Frank Verhoft" <fa478077@...>
wrote:
> Hi,
>
> <<<The two latter makes one suspect the word designated a people,
the first one would then be where they lived. Given (my guess) Germ.
*wos- > Freench gueux "beggar; uncouth person" > (loan) Dutch
geus "beggar", it would be tempting to identify them with (the
ancestors of) the 'watergeuzen' that played a large role in the
Dutch struggle for independence (the traditional translation as "sea-
beggars" doesn't match the resume of a pirate). Not that I know much
> about that shadowy people.<<<
>
> The word 'gueux' denoting the rebelous group of protestant Dutch
noblemen was first used by Berlaymont, a councilor of Margaretha of
Parma, in 1566. It was his way to express his contempt towards them.
First attestation in Dutch is 1599 ('gheus'). Whatever the etymology
of the particular word (and Brian already gave a few possible
origins), the Dutch noblemen took this originally derogatory word as
a name of honour and started to call themselves that way (in Dutch
this is still called "een geuzennaam"). IMHO, there is _no reason
whatsoever_ to start speculating about an identification "with (the
ancestors of) the 'watergeuzen'". It would be the same as starting
to speculate about the ancestors of the Red Socks players on the
basis of the etymologies of 'red' and 'socks'...
> Please note that there were also groups named 'bosgeuzen' (lit.
forest/bush geuzen).
>
> Groetjes,
>
> Frank
Bedankt, hoor...
That'a very good explanation for the Dutch and French words. Problem
is, it doesn't explain the rest of them. I'll probably go back to
geus and leave the water part out.
BTW My Prof. Visser's Nederlands-Engels Woordenboek only knows
of 'waas' and 'wazig' in the sense of 'mist(y)' etc. but I seem to
recall the word(s) had wider meanings that that?
Torsten