origin of "arkward"

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Ralph Bartsch - 10 Aug 2004 21:23 GMT

Hi,

as a german, I quite regularly read english books, magazines and
newspapers (british and american) and watch british and american TV
programs. So I am quite sure to know the word "arkward". Today I
wanted to read about the exact pronounciation. So I walked to the book
shelf and took the OED. Very disappointing, no entry. Webster's: no
entry. Encarta's Dictionary: no entry.

What is the etymology of arkward, how old is this word?

Can anyone help?

Regards

Ralph

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mUs1Ka - 10 Aug 2004 21:38 GMT

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Can anyone help?

Try awkward.

Signature

Ray

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Ralph Bartsch - 10 Aug 2004 21:56 GMT

"mUs1Ka" <mUs1Ka@exite.com> schrieb:

>Try awkward.

That helped :-)

Thank you,

RB

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John Hall - 10 Aug 2004 21:51 GMT

>as a german, I quite regularly read english books, magazines and
>newspapers (british and american) and watch british and american TV
>programs. So I am quite sure to know the word "arkward". Today I
>wanted to read about the exact pronounciation. So I walked to the book
>shelf and took the OED. Very disappointing, no entry. Webster's: no
>entry. Encarta's Dictionary: no entry.

Are you sure that you don't mean "awkward"?

Signature

John Hall
"I look upon it, that he who does not mind his belly,
will hardly mind anything else."
Dr Samuel Johnson (1709-84)

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Ralph Bartsch - 10 Aug 2004 22:06 GMT

John Hall <nospam_nov03@jhall.co.uk> schrieb:

>>as a german, I quite regularly read english books, magazines and
>>newspapers (british and american) and watch british and american TV
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
>Are you sure that you don't mean "awkward"?

No, I'm not :-)

I got a nice reply in alt.usage.english:

"maybe it's a real word, referring to Noah's vessel: the
pairs of animals all proceeded arkward until the ship was full."

RB

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Giles Todd - 10 Aug 2004 22:21 GMT

> What is the etymology of arkward,

'ark'+'-ward' (cf 'forward', 'backward')

[You will find these components in the etymological dictionary you
consulted earlier.]

It's an obscure compound meaning 'in the direction of Mount Ararat'.

> how old is this word?

Around 5000 years, if you accept Biblical dating.

> Can anyone help?

HTH.

Giles.

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Discussion Groups / British English / August 2004

origin of "arkward"