Latin in Harry Potter--Arabella Figg (again)

[alhewison]

No: HPFGUIDX 42632

Aha! I couldn't resist a Latin argument again


To follow on from the discussion of the meaning of Arabella:
" Of Scottish origin and uncertain etymology. It probably represents 
an alteration of An(n)abella"

Annabel: "...probably an altered form of Amabel, an obsolete French 
name derived from Latin amabilis "lovable"

Quotes are from Oxford University Press book of "Babies Names". I 
think this just confirms what Eloise has already said. The dictionary 
goes on to state that the Latinised form "Annabella is "influenced by 
Latin bella
beautiful"

Eloise said:-

<<<In any case, as I have pointed out, Arabella already has a 
perfectly good Latin derivation, meaning amiable (which in itself 
could be used to back up the Sirius/Arabella theory, or to back up 
the 'Mrs Figg is really a lovely young witch who's polyjuiced/aged 
herself into an old woman' theory). It just seems a bit much to then 
go and work out a secondary derivation.>>> 


Well, here is a back up to the polyjuiced/ aged potion Arabella 
theory, which has probably be used by someone somewhere before, but I 
haven't seen it (so apologies if this is a repeat):-

There is apparently an English word "fig" meaning dress. To "fig out" 
is to dress up. This word is a variation of an obsolete word "feague" 
which comes from German, which if I understand my Concise Oxford 
dictionary correctly means "Fake". If JKR has indeed deliberately 
chosen Mrs Figg's name, then this is (IMHO) very strong evidence 
towards the Arabella "in mufti" theory.

Eloise again :
My 'A' Level Latin's rusty.

Me too, but it's still like red rag to a bull when someone brings it 
up!


Eloise:
<<<I also wonder about this implication that Latin derivations are 
better than derivations from other languages (which is the 
implication of my original question of why does everything have to 
have a Latin root?). My Anglo-Saxon roots (if such they are) are 
bristling. (Can roots bristle?)

Who loves abstruse theories, but also believes in the application of 
Ockham's razor and is glad that Richard, at least is of similar 
opinions. (In his last post, at least. He may disagree violently with 
this!)>>>

I agree 100%. Just as "English" is a concoction of languages, so I 
think is the language of the Potterverse.  I love etymology and Latin 
derivations in particular. I just feel that JKR has perhaps cast her 
net a bit wider than Latin, just as her use of mythology is not 
confined to one cultural heritage.


Ali

Who doesn't really "give a fig", but loves the debates!