> Just wondering...is Westphalia plural for Westphalius? > Joachim ---------------------- You've nearly got it, Joachim, but, Westphalius is the plural form of the singular Westphalia. This is, of course, a modern irregularity, since this is the feminine form of a word that was masculine in the original Old Latin. As you may know, the root of this word is the Latin Westphallus. The exact meaning of this word has been lost, but scholars believe that it may have something to do with a pain in certain parts of the male anatomy associated with sleeping in too cramped quarters and/or on a mattress that is too thin, as one might encounter during a camping trip in a minimalist RV such as a VW Camper. There may also be some meaning connected to an injury caused by a hydrocarbon gas burning, as when cooking, at about crotch height. (ref: "10,000 Latin Nouns and Their Meanings in Modern Context", (c)1995, Ekoja-Sisiht Publishers, East Biggs, California) Hope that this helps, Marty Wallace, 1984 Westphalia "Heisenberg" Chico, California _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com |
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