TNTL 116/3

F. de Tollenaere

 Etymologica: Cynisch, Garnaal, Parlevinker

Abstract - The etymology of Du. cynisch 'cynical' cannot be explained by simply relating it to Greek-Latin cynicus, French cynique. Cynisch seems to have been borrowed from German cynisch, which itself has been influenced by French cynique. The article Garnaal, in the Woordenboek der Nederlandsche Taal IV-2 [1873], was the result of a serious effort to elucidate the etymology of Du. garnaal 'shrimp'. It failed, however, to win general acceptance. Two new attempts, one in 1941, another in 1950, were anything but a success. With the WNT article as a basis, I try to render account of the Germanic origin of the word as well as of its evolution since. In 1915 G.J. Boekenoogen, in the WNT, XII, I, fascicle 4, tried to elucidate the etymology of Du. parlevinker 'pedlar', assuming that it originated from bird-netting. His theory should be abandoned. Parlevink probably originated as a pun: with parle-, a borrowing from French, and vink in its figurative sense of 'chap'.

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