segunda-feira, junho 12

Tantrum etymology

 


The word "tantrum" has a disputed origin, but there are several theories about its etymology. 

 According to Etymonline, "tantrum" was first used in 1803 to mean "low spirits, the blues, the dumps," probably from dulled, past participle of dull (v.) in the sense of "make (someone) dull or stupid".

 Wiktionary states that the origin of "tantrum" is unknown, but it is believed to have come from an earlier word "tanterum".

Word Histories suggests that "tantrum" may have come from the French word "trantrans," although the senses do not seem exactly coincident. A nonce word "tantrum" meant penis.

 The Oxford University Press blog mentions a theory that "tantrum" may have come from the name of the devil Tantrabobus (Tantrumbobus, Tantarabobs, Tantraboobs, and other variations) ].

 Merriam-Webster states that the origin of "tantrum" is unknown.

According to Wikipedia, a tantrum is an emotional outburst associated with those in emotional distress, characterized by stubbornness, crying, screaming, violence, defiance, angry ranting, and a resistance to attempts at pacification. The origin of the word is not discussed.


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