Petcock ?s
#1
#3
#4
#7
Taken from the website = http://www.word-detective.com/index.html
"Petcock" is actually a relatively new word, first appearing in the mid-19th century, but several aspects of its derivation are somewhat mysterious. The "pet" part seems to be rooted in an old sense of "pet" meaning "small," possibly related to our modern "petty," in turn harking back to the French "petit" (small), which all makes sense since a "petcock" is, as we noted, a small faucet. The "****" part is more problematic. My own sense is that it is probably rooted in the verb "to ****," meaning "to turn up" (as in "cocking one's hat") or "to block," drawn from the defiant behavior of roosters. Whatever the logic of the term, "****" has been used to mean "spout or faucet" since the 15th century, and is also found in the word "stopcock," which also means a small adjustable faucet.
And i always thought it was one of them action words. Hmm, go figure!
"Petcock" is actually a relatively new word, first appearing in the mid-19th century, but several aspects of its derivation are somewhat mysterious. The "pet" part seems to be rooted in an old sense of "pet" meaning "small," possibly related to our modern "petty," in turn harking back to the French "petit" (small), which all makes sense since a "petcock" is, as we noted, a small faucet. The "****" part is more problematic. My own sense is that it is probably rooted in the verb "to ****," meaning "to turn up" (as in "cocking one's hat") or "to block," drawn from the defiant behavior of roosters. Whatever the logic of the term, "****" has been used to mean "spout or faucet" since the 15th century, and is also found in the word "stopcock," which also means a small adjustable faucet.
And i always thought it was one of them action words. Hmm, go figure!
Trending Topics
#8
Westtntrucker:
Some how you just took the humor away fron the original question, But..........Thank you for that indepth explaination. That is now two (2) things that I have learned in as many days.
Petcock will be right up there with RTV.
Hmmmm I wonder what they call the female cockroach????
Rog
Some how you just took the humor away fron the original question, But..........Thank you for that indepth explaination. That is now two (2) things that I have learned in as many days.
Petcock will be right up there with RTV.
Hmmmm I wonder what they call the female cockroach????
Rog
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
DKR977
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
0
11-14-2016 08:22 AM
fisherman_chuck
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
04-17-2016 08:51 PM