Comments by jameslouder

  • Etymology: French, 1611 : a tablet perfumed with musk ; also moschardin, muscardin ; from Italian, moscardino (16th c.) : same as prev. , hence, one who is excessively  careful of his appearance; from moscardo : musk.

    During the French Revolution (1792-3) muscadin acquired the specific meaning of a young royalist who affected a flamboyant and eccentric dress.

    November 6, 2017

  • December 12's word of the day was 'douceur.' The etymology correctly states that this word ultimately derives from the Latin 'dulcis,' meaning 'sweet.' However it should have been mentioned that the word 'douceur' itself is a direct, unaltered borrowing from French. In French is means 'sweetness,' both literally and figuratively.

    December 13, 2011