From: John Cowan (jcowan@reutershealth.com)
Date: Wed May 28 2003 - 12:49:34 EDT
Andrew C. West scripsit:
> The OED says "Orig. Black & pidgin Eng. after Sp. sabe usted you know"
The OED's etymology is almost certainly wrong in this case. M-w.com, as well
as creolists generally, are quite firm in the Portuguese etymology, not
(obviously) on formalist grounds, but because of the historical facts of
both Atlantic and Pacific creole formation.
> To me at least, it conjures up images of Tonto speaking to the Lone Ranger : "Me
> no savvy, Kemo Sabe".
You bet: that too is pidgin, and in fact "mi no savi" is perfectly
grammatical Tok Pisin.
-- But you, Wormtongue, you have done what you could for your true master. Some reward you have earned at least. Yet Saruman is apt to overlook his bargains. I should advise you to go quickly and remind him, lest he forget your faithful service. --Gandalf John Cowan <jcowan@reutershealth.com>
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