Re: OT: phat/vet/fat,

--- In conlang@y..., John Cowan <jcowan@R...> wrote:

 > Note that the last two are quite reasonable under the "fat" reading.
 > Thin = pretty is a very modern idea indeed.

As long as you don't apply it to women, there are still many other
situations in life where "fat" is desirable, esp. in the meaning
"voluminous", e.g. a fat wallet or a fat Thanksgiving turkey.


 > >         Sounding like "fat" is probably a "contrived coincidence".
I think
 > > it's amusing that the Dutch translated it literally.
 >
 > Au contraire.

To use "fett" in an appreciative sense is also a relatively new
development in German slang, most probably imported from English.
The original meaning of the word seems to be an intended component
of the slang word.


-- Christian Thalmann

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