quword 趣词
Word Origins Dictionary
- Andrew
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[Andrew 词源字典] - masc. proper name, from Old French Andreu (Modern French André), from Latin Andreas, from Greek Andreas, from andreios "manly," from aner (genitive andros) "man" (see anthropo-). Andrew Millar (1590s) for some forgotten reason became English naval slang for "government authority," and especially "the Royal Navy." St. Andrew (feast day Nov. 30) has long been regarded as patron saint of Scotland. The Andrew's cross (c. 1400) supposedly resembles the one St. Andrew was crucified on.[Andrew etymology, Andrew origin, 英语词源]
- mandrel (n.)
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- "miner's pick," 1510s, of unknown origin; perhaps borrowed from French mandrin, itself of unknown origin. Also applied from 17c. to parts of a lathe or a circular saw.
- merry-andrew (n.)
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- "a buffoon; a zany; a jack-pudding" [Johnson], originally "mountebank's assistant," 1670s, from merry + masc. proper name Andrew, but there is no certain identification with an individual.
- spandrel (n.)
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- "triangular space between the outer curve of an arch and the molding enclosing it," late 15c., apparently a diminutive of Anglo-French spaundre (late 14c.), which is of uncertain origin, perhaps a shortening of Old French espandre "to expand, extend, spread," from Latin expandre (see expand).