From: Brian M. Scott
Message: 50761
Date: 2007-12-08
> --- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, "Brian M. Scott"Why can't it? The pedigreed citations are unanimous on this
> <BMScott@...> wrote:
>> At 4:45:34 AM on Friday, December 7, 2007, tgpedersen
>> wrote:
>>> --- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, "Brian M. Scott"
>>> <BMScott@> wrote:
>>>> At 5:58:57 AM on Thursday, December 6, 2007, tgpedersen
>>>> wrote:
>>>>> --- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, Rick McCallister
>>>>> <gabaroo6958@> wrote:
>>>>>> So, any relation to George? The one from Wassa's ton?
>>>>> Hard to say.
>>>>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington%2C_Tyne_and_Wear
>>>>> This article roots for *hwæs- but doesn't document the
>>>>> h-; instead it cites a Wasindone from 1096.
>>>> The <Washington> in Tyne and Wear is 'the estate called
>>>> after Hwæssa', from OE <Hwæssingtûn>. Forms:
>>>> Wessint', Wessinton ~1170x80
>>>> Wessington('),-yng- 1183[~1320], 1196x1215-1473
>>>> Wesshyngton, -yng- 1411-1556
>>>> Wassinton' 1211
>>>> Wassington, -yng- 1382, 1418
>>>> Wasshin(g)ton 1406
>>>> Washington 1581-
>>>> Quessigton' 1280
>>>> Quessigton' ~1310
>>>> Whessyngton 1475, 1548
>>>> Qwassyngton 1388x1406
>>>> Whassington, -yng- 1350-70
>>>> It's the third group that shows that the base
>>>> anthroponym must have been <Hwæssa> rather than <Wassa>
>>>> (see below). Victor Watts notes that the first two
>>>> groups seem to have been influenced by OE <wæsse> 'a
>>>> wet place, a swamp, a marsh', which however does not at
>>>> all fit the topography.
>>> According to the Wikipedia article, some disagree:
>>> "A second potential Anglo-Saxon origin, could be from
>>> Old English wæsc "to wash" + -inga 'people of' + du:n
>>> "hill" (i.e. people of the hill by the stream). This
>>> theory originates from its proximity to the Wear. This
>>> origin could possible be shown in an apparent record of
>>> the name as Wasindone from 1096."
>> I'll take Victor Watts over an unsourced Wikipedia
>> assertion any day. In this case there isn't even a source
>> given for the alleged <Wasindone> 1196, which is
>> mentioned neither by Watts nor by Ekwall. Moreover, even
>> if it is legitimate and does refer to the place in
>> question, it's clearly the odd one out.
> In what sense? It differs from the second group you cite
> only in having -s-. That can't be what you mean?
> Unless it indicates long vs. otherwise short vowel, butYou don't see the irony of your objection? You're the one
> the root in Germanic is double, *was-/*wo:s- (< PPGerm.
> a/a: or o/o:).
>>>> The name <Hwæssa> is also seen in <Whessoe> (Durham).
>>> Odd. Especially since the the forms without k- or h- are
>>> the oldest.
>> You of all people have no business objecting to late
>> appearance of a more accurate representation of the
>> underlying form!
> I don't know what it is in me that brings the staff
> sergeant out in some people. What makes you think it is
> your business to tell me what my business is?
>>> Are there similar alternations in other EnglishI assumed that that's what you meant by 'similar
>>> placenames
>> Yes.
>>> and if yes, do they occur in names of any particular
>>> type?
>> Not to my knowledge, but I've never looked into it.
> A few examples would be nice. The two so far have *(k)wa-