Originally posted by @shallow-blueDidn't read the "stinker" quote which I presume was a joke.
Yes, but that's derived from the previous slang meaning of tinker for a traveler, which was from tinker for the profession. A tinker could indeed, after those previous meanings, be a general ruffian and then a naughty child; what it never was was short for *"little stinker". That's a ridiculous, 2000s style of folk etymology.
But I doubt the etymology of tinker (=naughty child) is from the noun
tinker = traveller.
Surely more likely to be from the verb? (to tinker = to mess about)
I'll seek advice from the interweb when I get time.
Originally posted by @shallow-blue... etymology.I really like that word. It's like everything that any word ever meant, all wrapped up.
Originally posted by @boardreaderNot where I come from!
Moist
- how many people does this make wince? 🙂
I remember the tinkers from my early childhood, they used to come around the country areas and offer to fix tools and things, and try to sell old stuff at very low prices. Some but not all were gypsies but they all got lumped in together. I never heard the term applied to children except maybe Tinkerbell in Peter Pan.
Originally posted by @kewpieI have ONLY heard it applied to children.
I remember the tinkers from my early childhood, they used to come around the country areas and offer to fix tools and things, and try to sell old stuff at very low prices. Some but not all were gypsies but they all got lumped in together. I never heard the term applied to children except maybe Tinkerbell in Peter Pan.
I know other meanings of "ttinker" through cryptic crosswords,
but seriously; when did you last hear an adult called a tinker?
Originally posted by @fmfIs that how it is spelt!? My mum used that all the time for what she called "real" gypsies.
I was just looking into all this a bit and I've realized that a word that I'd thought was offensive ever since I was a child is, in fact, not considered to be offensive: didicoy.
(I think the "unreal" gypsies were the thieves and ruffians)
Originally posted by @boardreaderIt’s association with the vagina is what makes the British wince.
Moist
- how many people does this make wince? 🙂
Let’s celebrate the word. It helps make the world go round.
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Originally posted by @drewnogalI hadn't made that association.
It’s [the word "moist"] association with the vagina is what makes the British wince.
But I have now.
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Originally posted by @drewnogalPerhaps British vaginas are a special case.
It’s [the word "moist"] association with the vagina is what makes the British wince.
Originally posted by @drewnogalHaving visualized what you are saying, I'd say you are right.
It’s [the word "moist"] association with the vagina is what makes the British wince.
Let’s celebrate the word. It helps make the world go round.
Originally posted by @drewnogalSame goes for the words "water-based, water-soluble personal lubricants" such as KY Jelly.
It’s [the word "moist"] association with the vagina is what makes the British wince.