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From: benson@dcdwest.UUCP (Peter Benson)
Newsgroups: net.nlang
Subject: Re: GRAPEfruit?
Message-ID: <177@dcdwest.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 19-Mar-85 17:04:15 EST
Article-I.D.: dcdwest.177
Posted: Tue Mar 19 17:04:15 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 22-Mar-85 02:48:41 EST
References: <345@ihu1m.UUCP>
Reply-To: benson@dcdwest.UUCP (Peter Benson)
Distribution: net
Organization: ITT Defense Communications (San Diego)
Lines: 21
Summary: 

John Ciardi in his second book on etymology suggests that
grape fruit comes from "great fruit", where t -> p/ _f,
a very believable rule.  Since grapefruit is so large, the
etymology makes sense, but, of course, some citations would be
nice, documenting the source.  He also points out that the
shaddock, which is another type of large citrus, is named
after the man who {found, invented} the grapefruit.

Had I my copy of the book here at my desk, I would quote you
chapter and verse, but I don't, so you must take me at my
memory.

By the way, has anyone a good etymology for "pay through the
nose" ??

-- 
                                _
Peter Benson                    | ITT Defense Communications Division
(619)578-3080                   | 10060 Carroll Canyon Road
decvax!ittvax!dcdwest!benson    | San Diego, CA 92131
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