November 27th, 2008, 10:34 PM
posted to rec.travel.europe,uk.politics.misc,rec.travel.usa-canada,rec.travel.australia+nz,rec.sport.rugby.union
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A-Z of English words with surprising origins
"Ariadne" wrote in message
...
On 27 Nov, 15:49, "DVH" wrote:
"Jochen Kriegerowski" wrote in message
My German etymological dictionary says it derives from "riga",
venetian origin, 18th century.
Which would come from the Latin "regula" and ultimately from rex?
Nice pages and more derivations:
http://www.doge.it/regata/regata10i.htm
The actual origin of the word "Regatta" has been lost. Some writers
believe is stems from the Latin word "auriga" (from which the term
"gara" - race - also derives) while others consider it a trasformation
of the word "remicata", which is in turn from "remus". The third and
most accepted theory is that in which the word "riga" (line) is seen
as "remus". The third and most accepted theory is that in which the
word "riga" (line) is seen as the origin, from the position of the
boats at the start of the race.
I feel better educated now.
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