Re: article - The Tennessee Alumnus 1977 (early 'mal-engine' speculation)
-
In reply to:
article - The Tennessee Alumnus 1977 (early 'mal-engine' speculation)
kevin mullins 1/30/07
"I am suggesting the possibility that the term was derived from the middle English term 'mal engine' which meant deceitful, tricky, treacherous, wicked. It may have been a generally derogatory term used in reference to persons or groups who were threatening or who were considered wicked or evil.
"The term could easily have made the transition from adjective (a malengine person) to noun (a malengine), especially if applied to readily identifiable persons or groups which, in turn, could provide racial overtones to the word."
Kevin
Thanks for posting that.I've done some research since I first found this [by googling malengine] back in 2001.This defintion-- from Spencer's Faire Queen-- was very well known in the 1800s.I don't have them typed but will try to post some of them this week.
I think it is really interesting especially when the word 'Ramp' is also said to be a 'robber-highwayman'
Ramp Ramp, n.
--Milton.
[1913 Webster]
2. A highwayman; a robber. [Prov. Eng.]
[1913 Webster]
More Replies:
-
Re: article - The Tennessee Alumnus 1977 (early 'mal-engine' speculation)
deborah loeslin 1/31/07