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Few people in Scotland would know who you meant by Maria Stuart. To us she's Mary, Queen of Scots.fresh_42 said:
The English word that hasn't changed sound or meaning in millenia
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the English word "lox," exploring its historical pronunciation and meaning, as well as its connections to other languages, particularly German and Yiddish. Participants delve into the implications of language evolution and the origins of words, touching on linguistic studies and cultural influences.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Debate/contested
- Technical explanation
- Historical
Main Points Raised
- Gregory Guy suggests that "lox" has maintained its pronunciation and meaning for 8,000 years, originally referring to salmon and now specifically to smoked salmon.
- Some participants note the similarity between "lox" and the German word "Lachs," with one asserting that "Lachs" is pronounced like "lux" in English.
- There is confusion regarding the pronunciation of "lox," "lax," and "Lachs," with participants debating their similarities and differences.
- One participant proposes that "lox" was reintroduced into modern English from Yiddish, particularly in the context of a lox bagel in Britain.
- Another participant mentions the acronym LOX for Liquid Oxygen, drawing a parallel between its pronunciation and that of "lox." They discuss the linguistic drift and similarities across languages.
- Some participants express surprise at the unfamiliarity of "lox" among British speakers, with anecdotes about their first encounters with the term.
- There is a claim that calling "lox" an unchanged English word is misleading since it is borrowed from Yiddish, prompting further discussion about its origins.
- A participant references the cultural significance of language and the potential for linguistic drift, citing anthropological observations about language diversity among closely related cultures.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express a mix of agreement and disagreement regarding the pronunciation and origins of "lox." While some assert its historical consistency, others challenge the notion of it being an unchanged English word due to its Yiddish roots. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing views on the topic.
Contextual Notes
There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions made about the historical pronunciation of "lox" and its connections to other languages. The debate over the pronunciation of related words and their meanings also highlights the complexity of language evolution.
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