OT: Latin (was boggart)

[Steve Vander Ark]

No: HPFGUIDX 18728


> 
> But "expectorare" has a first person singular present of
> "expectoro"; whereas, "expectare" has the intended first person
> singular of "expecto".  They are in no wise even close.
> 
> The verb "expectorate" in English is derived from the former, and
> should be understood as "spitting" or "vomiting".
> 
> While I see your interpretation of "expectorare" as "to expel from
> the mind" - the intent when used metaphorically is closer to
> *banishing* from the mind.  Banishment/expulsion especially when
> coupled with the ideas of spitting and vomiting is not a positive
> one, so I'm at a loss to understand why "expectorare" and not
> "expectare"?

That's true. The spitting/vomiting meaning is only one of the 
meanings for that verb, but the difference in first person singular 
is unmistakable. I'll change the Lexicon entry to use "expecto" 
instead. 

I don't know about everyone else, but I find this discussion of Latin 
words etc. absolutely fascinating. It's been twenty years since my 
last Latin class, but I still love that language and I thing it's 
great that JKR chose to use it for her incantations. I wonder how 
deeply she researches the words she chooses. 

Steve Vander Ark
The Harry Potter Lexicon
http://www.i2k.com/~svderark/lexicon