Comments on: Parsons Chairs and Parsons

By: Precise Edit

Precise Edit — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:57:13 +0000

Ah–you got me there, Maeve!

I, too, thought Parsons chair was, as you said, the chair for the parson.

This is a good example of how we create a definition based on a limited understanding of the word source. Not knowing the true source of the word, we assume that it relates to a similar, known, word, e.g., parson.

Thanks!

By: mand

mand — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:47:24 +0000

Reminds me of the ‘parson’s nose’ which i now know – and didn’t till i googled ;0) – is the pygostyle of a chicken. I think a turkey’s is the bishop’s nose and a goose’s the Pope’s nose… something like that. {grin}

By: Tony Hearn

Tony Hearn — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:44:16 +0000

Yes indeed, ‘person’ changed pronunciation to ‘parson’, but not randomly. This was part of a change that went on in British English, or more specifically English in England, in the 18th century. It didn’t generally occur over the water in the States, however. Thus here in England we say, (but don’t spell, except for ‘Varsity’), ‘clark, Barkeley, Barkshire, Varsity’ etc., where Americans say as spelt, ‘clerk, Berkeley, Berkshire, (uni)versity’ etc. Interestingly, however, we both say ‘farm’ (earlier ‘ferme’) and ‘parson’. As an aside, my surname ‘Hearn’ was in the 18th century often spelt and pronounced’ Harn’ before reverting in the 19th century.

By: Brad K.

Brad K. — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:19:55 +0000

@Maeve,

Thanks!

Brad K.

By: Maeve

Maeve — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:41:56 +0000

Both words derive from Latin curatus, past participle of curare “to take care of.”

A curator takes care of the museum; a curate takes care of souls.