GENBRIT-L Archives

Archiver > GENBRIT > 2004-01 > 1073692306


From: Don Aitken <>
Subject: Re: Nephew double meaning
Date: Fri, 09 Jan 2004 23:51:46 +0000
References: <Z%CLb.429$ir1.2691@newsfep4-glfd.server.ntli.net>


On Fri, 9 Jan 2004 19:08:42 -0000, "W Johnson"
<> wrote:

>I thought I'd just post a fact that some may not be aware of, that probably
>roughly up to the 17th century nephew could also mean grandson(as in the
>will of Thomas Sackville 1st Earl of Dorset).
>
Just one of many terms that have changed meaning. We seem to do "son"
meaning son-in-law and "son-in-law" meaning stepson quite often.
Another one which can confuse is "family", which, right up to the 18th
century, can include servants and dependants as well as relatives. And
"friends" often *does* mean relatives.

--
Don Aitken

Mail to the addresses given in the headers is no longer being
read. To mail me, substitute "clara.co.uk" for "freeuk.com".

This thread: