Re: USAGE: plunk/plank

I can think of three English words -- coaster, trivet and potholder.  They
vary by material construction and intended use.  A coaster is usuall placed
under a glass or piture that may "sweat" and leave a water mark on the
table.  It's usually made of cardboard or cork.  (If it's paper or lace it's
a doily, so there's another term!)  A trivet is made of metal or metal and
ceramics and stands on three (or more) tiny feet to keep hot dishes from
scorching the table.  A potholder is a (usually quilted) piece of cloth used
to pull hot dishes out of the oven or off the burner and is often tossed
onto the table with the dish set on top of it, again to keep the pot from
scorching the table.

Adam


>From: Tristan Alexander McLeay <anstouh@...>
>Reply-To: Constructed Languages List <CONLANG@...>
>To: CONLANG@LISTSERV.BROWN.EDU
>Subject: USAGE: plunk/plank
>Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2002 19:29:04 +1100
>
>Sorry to waste a message with a non-conlang- (but still linguistic-)
>related message, but I was wondering if anyone could help me find a word
>and a derivation.
>
>The word in question is 'plunk' or 'plank', we pronounce it /plAnk/ (or
>/plVnk/). It's a thing put on a table that you put hot things onto so that
>you don't damage the table or similar. As far as I can tell, it's just
>used by my family---what is the normal word for it?
>
>There are two possible derivations: either from a Dutch word (possibly
>dialectal) or immitative. My mother's first language was a dialect of
>Dutch and there are a few words that have been borrowed into my family's
>speech from Dutch. Dad (who's only language is English) can't think of
>another word for it, which suggests that either there *isn't* a normal
>word for it or that it's immitative (one plunks the plunk/plank onto the
>table and it makes a sort of plunky noise). Would any of the Dutch
>speakers be able to enlighten me?
>
>TIA,
>
>Tristan

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