“Double dipping” (or even “triple dipping”) refers to one language borrowing the same word repeatedly from another.
The borrowed words are called “doublets.” Often, the altered pronunciation and spelling of the words borrowed at different times can give us clues about the state of the “lending” language.
Until recent decades, when the tide reversed, English routinely absorbed French words and expressions.
Here are three examples to illustrate:
1. Chief/chef. English borrowed this word twice from French, the first time back in the 14th century when it was pronounced more or less as we say it today, and had the same meaning.
In the 19th century English borrowed it again, but only in the narrow meaning of chef, meaning “chief” cook. Only chef sounded so much more elegant than “head cook”.
Chef also tells us how the French pronunciation had changed over the centuries.
2. Gentil, meaning of noble social class and matching behavior in French, as in gentilhomme, was semi-translated into medieval English and gave us our “gentleman.”
A gentleman was not necessarily “gentle.”
In the 17th century English borrowed gentil again, this time as both “genteel” and “jaunty,” reflecting both social changes and altered pronunciation.
3. Cattle/Chattel. Both words were originally French, the first from the Norman dialect of northern France and the second from Central French of Paris.
Both derive from the Latin word capitale, meaning possession or stock.
Latin is the parent language of French.
Harold Raley is a linguist, professor and writer who lives in Friendswood.
