Re: Not snazzy (was: New Unicode Savvy Logo)

Andrew C. West scripsit:

> The OED says "Orig. Black & pidgin Eng. after Sp. sabe usted you know"

The OED's etymology is almost certainly wrong in this case.  M-w.com, as well
as creolists generally, are quite firm in the Portuguese etymology, not
(obviously) on formalist grounds, but because of the historical facts of
both Atlantic and Pacific creole formation.

> To me at least, it conjures up images of Tonto speaking to the Lone Ranger : 
> "Me
> no savvy, Kemo Sabe".

You bet: that too is pidgin, and in fact "mi no savi" is perfectly
grammatical Tok Pisin.

-- 
But you, Wormtongue, you have done what you could for your true master.  Some
reward you have earned at least.  Yet Saruman is apt to overlook his bargains.
I should advise you to go quickly and remind him, lest he forget your faithful
service.  --Gandalf             John Cowan <jcowan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>


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