Etymology – Leeds's Singing Organ-Grinder

Daniel Heinsius’ solitary phoenix and the final words of the beastly bookseller of Barcelona

In 1927 the Catalan literary researcher and writer, Ramon Miquel i Planas (1874-1950; henceforth MiP) wrote a little book, published in a bibliophile edition, called La llegenda del llibreter assassí. In it he reflects on the origins and recycling of “Le bibliomane ou le nouveau Cardillac”, an anonymous tale published as if true in 1836…

A new etymology of “fanny”

Fine upstanding gentleman, prepare your great serpent to play the lovely Encarnación’s fandango.

Rabbit rabbit

Emphatically not a rodent; possibly Herb Alpert’s true muse.

Pirates and Kleinecke’s etymology of “pidgin”

It is suggested that an old Spanish slang word has nothing at all to do with Dutch pirates but instead adds weight to David Kleinecke’s generally discarded South American etymology of the word “pidgin”.

Titborgs

Tit is probably not a transformation of the abbreviation for the Latin ter in die, thrice a day, but the thought intrigues.