Why is there a y in vinyl?
With help from Melvyn I discovered the reason for it. No it doesn't break any rule and it is not an exception. Hint: it has something to do with drinking!
posted by Mr. Lonergan | 2:45 PM
2 Comments:
Now Mr. Lonergan. That's just cruel getting a full answer, and then not sharing it.
All I could muster from this word is that the y inside a word is a sign of a word of Greek origin.
When I checked my dictionary, your drinking clue was confirmed by the fact that the vin part was linked to the Latin for wine vin(um). The dictionary didn't help me with the yl part which doesn't appear like any suffix I recognize. The fact that the sign of Greek origin is in a word that has a Latin bit is confounding. And, what the heck does vinyl have to do with wine anyway?
Hmmm....
Since you're signing off as Mr. Lonergan, I'll go with Mr. B
Cheers
Here is what Melvyn emailed to me about this question. I find it fascinating.
"As far as vinyl is concerned, it is a scientific terminological 'blend' (portmanteau word) of vin(e) and (eth)yl(ene), because vinyl is derived from ethylene and ethyl alcohol is the ordinary alcohol present in wine. It was coined in 1863."
I will never look at a tablecloth the same way again. If you look it up in a dictionary, you might think there is a suffix (yl). Strange how a dictionary might have it wrong. Shame on you Oxford.
Post a Comment
<< Home