h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Isn't that where babies come from?

This is getting circular . . . need some to sort it out.

As you said in Post 9101:

>> Not a joke, but the first round I wrote was to the words:
"Lapsang Souchong
Cabernet Sauvignon
Chausson chansons
Mah Jong, Ping Pong, King Kong, sing song" <<

I got so caught up in the Parker Bros' monopolisation of board games I forgot to pursue this other question of round writing.

I was going to ask if that was like righting wrongs and do you have to wear a mask and cape? But I didn't. Probably just as well.

But then you said:
>> This is getting circular... <<

And I am now obliged to remark:
"Your round then."

~jwf~ sur le pont de Sauvignon

Ah, Romany... fascinating!

Is Romany (the language spoken by the Roms or Gypsies) a type of Romanian, or is that just a misconception?

Nope, it's not. That is, it is indeed a misconception. Romanian is a Romance language, whereas Romany is an Indic one.

There are more Romany words in British English than Romanian. (How's that for a sweeping statement?)

Is a sweeping statement normally followed by a brushing up on the facts?

Is that there are more Romany words in British English than Romanian words in British English.
Or there are more Romany words in British English than Romany words in Romanian.

Or possibly both of the above statements are correct.

Ah, I see. Romany is an Indic language related to the languages of Northern India. So presumably it is closely related to the Indian languages of Pakistan.

English word "pong" (bad smell) comes from Romany word "pan" (no meaning given). Local Pakistani word "pong" means "foot". So the link between "pong" and "foot" is still possible.

(for ~jwf~) Writing rounds only needs a thinking cap. It's like writing a part-song -- you write one bit of tune, then another to go with it, another to go with them, and a fourth to go with all three. You try to keep the harmony interesting and not contradictory, vary the rhythm, save a good phrase for the finish, and keep some semblance of a continuous line throughout. A bit like putting a puzzle together, solving a crossword, or tidying up Rubik's cube.

*takes notes*

Just having discovered yet another interesting converation to join in, being someone with an interest in linguistics...

Have you already covered the influence of Romany on Polari - the theatrical/gay slang, as immortalised by Julian and Sandy in 'Round the Horne' ?

eg Bona to vede your dolly eek = Nice too see your pretty face. (Ooh! Ain't 'e bold!)

It was wonderful how much Kenneth Williams and Hugh Paddick could get by the censors. For example, the innocent-sounding phrase:

"E's just round the back doing the dishes. They're very dirty dishes!"

In Polari, dish = arse.

Welcome Edward! Tell us more!

I'm no expert...but check out here:
http://www.chris-d.net/polari/
and here:
http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/cello/Polari.htm
And also, for The Bible in Polari (), as translated by the Sistyers of Perpetual Indulgence:
http://www.thesisters.demon.co.uk/bible/

There's another site which used to get a higher Google rank which had more about the Romani influence. A lot of it is also from Cockney rhyming slang and 'Lingua Franca' - a French/Occitan/Spanish/Italian pidgin (or was it a creole?) which was used by Mediterranean traders.

I'm no expert...but check out here:
http://www.chris-d.net/polari/
and here:
http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/cello/Polari.htm
And also, for The Bible in Polari (), as translated by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence:
http://www.thesisters.demon.co.uk/bible/

There's another site which used to get a higher Google rank which had more about the Romani influence. A lot of it is also from Cockney rhyming slang and 'Lingua Franca' - a French/Occitan/Spanish/Italian pidgin (or was it a creole?) which was used by Mediterranean traders.

Interesting -- had a look at the first one. It's very dodgy to propose derivations like "camp (origin: KAMP = Known As Male Prostitute)". Most unlikely; "camp-follower" has surely more claim, from the women who followed armies.

Word derivation, etymology, became fashionable in the early 18th century. Jonathan Swift had a poke at it with some fanciful derivations: "ostler: oat-stealer" and "goat: an animal likely to go at you"

Here's a rule which I made up a while back:

No word used before the 2nd World War is derived from the initials of other words.

Hi Gnomon,

I doubt if the Anzacs will agree with you - but then there are very few still alive so you're probably safe

I knew someone would prove me wrong! But it is a good rule nevertheless.