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Etymology of Irish word

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  • 21-02-2012 1:28pm
    #1
    Mystified
    Registered Users Posts: 92 ✭✭


    Anybody know the etymology of the Irish word "port" meaning a tune or jig?


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    #2
    P. Breathnach
    Registered Users Posts: 12,089 ✭✭✭✭P. Breathnach


    Etymological resources for Irish are scarce.

    I looked at Dineen, and found "cf Eng. port...". I followed to the NSOED, and found that "port" with the meaning "tune" comes from Gaelic, with its earliest recorded use in 1721. The Gaelic in question is Scots Gaelic, and the word is still used in Scots Gaelic today.

    Not much help, save to suggest at least modest antiquity: if it's common to Irish and Scots Gaelic, it's generally not brand new.


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    #3
    Mystified
    Registered Users Posts: 92 ✭✭Mystified


    Thanks P. Breathnach

    I read somewhere that "port" could be traced/derived from latin porto - I carry or catch.with the suggestion it might be related to the englisg phrase "a catchy tune" - perhaps something you could pick up (catch) easily.

    Any comment ?


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    #4
    P. Breathnach
    Registered Users Posts: 12,089 ✭✭✭✭P. Breathnach


    Not a learned comment: the NSOED gives a small amount of support to that idea, because the full definition is "A lively tune, a catch, an air".

    I don't have a Latin dictionary to hand, but I don't think "porto" means "I catch" in addition to "I carry". But I think (mixing music and language) that a catchy tune is one that is easily carried. So there might be something to the idea. But, to be honest, I would not sit back and say that the point was proved.


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    #5
    Carawaystick
    Registered Users Posts: 8,779 ✭✭✭Carawaystick


    I've been at sessions where "carry" is used w.r.t. a tune, as in " can you carry the whole tune" meaning can you sing the whole song by yourself.


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