What did the word “leisure” mean in late 18th Century usage?
What did the word "leisure" mean in the name of a Cornish tinmine. It has not been possible for me to find any definition of this term other than in connection with "free time" and suchlike. What could it have signified at the end of the eighteenth century?
england
edited Apr 1 at 13:53
Mark C. Wallace♦
23.8k973113
asked Apr 1 at 12:34
Malcolm NormanMalcolm Norman
562
New contributor
Malcolm Norman is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
What did the word "leisure" mean in the name of a Cornish tinmine. It has not been possible for me to find any definition of this term other than in connection with "free time" and suchlike. What could it have signified at the end of the eighteenth century?
england
edited Apr 1 at 13:53
Mark C. Wallace♦
23.8k973113
asked Apr 1 at 12:34
Malcolm NormanMalcolm Norman
562
New contributor
Malcolm Norman is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
5
Is there a certain quotation you are trying to interpret? Including it here would help.
– Brian Z
Apr 1 at 13:45
3
As already mentioned, the term was used in the business name of a Cornish tin mine. Pieter Geerkens has now explained the usage, but thank you!
– Malcolm Norman
Apr 1 at 13:49
1
I don't personally consider this off-topic here. I know ELU sometimes fields historical usage questions, but they are really much better with contemporary usage. However, I'll look into migration if its what the author wants. Is it?
– T.E.D.♦
Apr 1 at 13:53
@BrianZ odds are asker has been reading/watching Poldark.
– AllInOne
Apr 1 at 17:46
@AllInOne: Yes indeed. That is evident from inspecting the edit history back to the original pair of questions that have now been separated.
– Pieter Geerkens
Apr 1 at 20:27
add a comment |
What did the word "leisure" mean in the name of a Cornish tinmine. It has not been possible for me to find any definition of this term other than in connection with "free time" and suchlike. What could it have signified at the end of the eighteenth century?
england
edited Apr 1 at 13:53
Mark C. Wallace♦
23.8k973113
asked Apr 1 at 12:34
Malcolm NormanMalcolm Norman
562
New contributor
Malcolm Norman is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
What did the word "leisure" mean in the name of a Cornish tinmine. It has not been possible for me to find any definition of this term other than in connection with "free time" and suchlike. What could it have signified at the end of the eighteenth century?
england
england
edited Apr 1 at 13:53
Mark C. Wallace♦
23.8k973113
asked Apr 1 at 12:34
Malcolm NormanMalcolm Norman
562
New contributor
Malcolm Norman is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited Apr 1 at 13:53
Mark C. Wallace♦
23.8k973113
asked Apr 1 at 12:34
Malcolm NormanMalcolm Norman
562
New contributor
Malcolm Norman is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited Apr 1 at 13:53
Mark C. Wallace♦
23.8k973113
edited Apr 1 at 13:53
Mark C. Wallace♦
23.8k973113
edited Apr 1 at 13:53
Mark C. Wallace♦
23.8k973113
23.8k973113
asked Apr 1 at 12:34
Malcolm NormanMalcolm Norman
562
New contributor
Malcolm Norman is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked Apr 1 at 12:34
Malcolm NormanMalcolm Norman
562
asked Apr 1 at 12:34
Malcolm NormanMalcolm Norman
562
562
New contributor
Malcolm Norman is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Malcolm Norman is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Malcolm Norman is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
5
Is there a certain quotation you are trying to interpret? Including it here would help.
– Brian Z
Apr 1 at 13:45
3
As already mentioned, the term was used in the business name of a Cornish tin mine. Pieter Geerkens has now explained the usage, but thank you!
– Malcolm Norman
Apr 1 at 13:49
1
I don't personally consider this off-topic here. I know ELU sometimes fields historical usage questions, but they are really much better with contemporary usage. However, I'll look into migration if its what the author wants. Is it?
– T.E.D.♦
Apr 1 at 13:53
@BrianZ odds are asker has been reading/watching Poldark.
– AllInOne
Apr 1 at 17:46
@AllInOne: Yes indeed. That is evident from inspecting the edit history back to the original pair of questions that have now been separated.
– Pieter Geerkens
Apr 1 at 20:27
add a comment |
5
Is there a certain quotation you are trying to interpret? Including it here would help.
– Brian Z
Apr 1 at 13:45
3
As already mentioned, the term was used in the business name of a Cornish tin mine. Pieter Geerkens has now explained the usage, but thank you!
– Malcolm Norman
Apr 1 at 13:49
1
I don't personally consider this off-topic here. I know ELU sometimes fields historical usage questions, but they are really much better with contemporary usage. However, I'll look into migration if its what the author wants. Is it?
– T.E.D.♦
Apr 1 at 13:53
@BrianZ odds are asker has been reading/watching Poldark.
– AllInOne
Apr 1 at 17:46
@AllInOne: Yes indeed. That is evident from inspecting the edit history back to the original pair of questions that have now been separated.
– Pieter Geerkens
Apr 1 at 20:27
5
5
Is there a certain quotation you are trying to interpret? Including it here would help.
– Brian Z
Apr 1 at 13:45
Is there a certain quotation you are trying to interpret? Including it here would help.
– Brian Z
Apr 1 at 13:45
3
3
As already mentioned, the term was used in the business name of a Cornish tin mine. Pieter Geerkens has now explained the usage, but thank you!
– Malcolm Norman
Apr 1 at 13:49
As already mentioned, the term was used in the business name of a Cornish tin mine. Pieter Geerkens has now explained the usage, but thank you!
– Malcolm Norman
Apr 1 at 13:49
1
1
I don't personally consider this off-topic here. I know ELU sometimes fields historical usage questions, but they are really much better with contemporary usage. However, I'll look into migration if its what the author wants. Is it?
– T.E.D.♦
Apr 1 at 13:53
I don't personally consider this off-topic here. I know ELU sometimes fields historical usage questions, but they are really much better with contemporary usage. However, I'll look into migration if its what the author wants. Is it?
– T.E.D.♦
Apr 1 at 13:53
@BrianZ odds are asker has been reading/watching Poldark.
– AllInOne
Apr 1 at 17:46
@BrianZ odds are asker has been reading/watching Poldark.
– AllInOne
Apr 1 at 17:46
@AllInOne: Yes indeed. That is evident from inspecting the edit history back to the original pair of questions that have now been separated.
– Pieter Geerkens
Apr 1 at 20:27
@AllInOne: Yes indeed. That is evident from inspecting the edit history back to the original pair of questions that have now been separated.
– Pieter Geerkens
Apr 1 at 20:27
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
Although marked as obsolete in the O.E.D. (1928), this oldest meaning for the word leisure is attested as late as 1640:
Leisure:
a. Freedom or opportunity to do something specified or implied
b. opportunity
answered Apr 1 at 13:13
Pieter GeerkensPieter Geerkens
41.6k6118196
6
Click that little arrow and green thing for maximum thanksgiving @MalcolmNorman
– Dr. Shmuel
Apr 1 at 13:32
2
Note that this anachronism still exists in modern English; albeit as a part of a commonly used expression "at your leisure". e.g. "You need to do the dishes at your leisure".
– Stephen
Apr 2 at 6:33
add a comment |
The etymology of the word leisure traces it back to "license," permission to do something. In the context of a mine, it would mean permission to extract the ore.
Later, the connotation of the term changed to "take it easy," or permission to not do anything.The source opines that it may have developed in tandem with, or along the lines of, "pleasure," including becoming a rhyme (in British English).
answered Apr 1 at 17:59
Tom AuTom Au
77.8k11187410
add a comment |
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2 Answers
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
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oldest
votes
Although marked as obsolete in the O.E.D. (1928), this oldest meaning for the word leisure is attested as late as 1640:
Leisure:
a. Freedom or opportunity to do something specified or implied
b. opportunity
answered Apr 1 at 13:13
Pieter GeerkensPieter Geerkens
41.6k6118196
6
Click that little arrow and green thing for maximum thanksgiving @MalcolmNorman
– Dr. Shmuel
Apr 1 at 13:32
2
Note that this anachronism still exists in modern English; albeit as a part of a commonly used expression "at your leisure". e.g. "You need to do the dishes at your leisure".
– Stephen
Apr 2 at 6:33
add a comment |
Although marked as obsolete in the O.E.D. (1928), this oldest meaning for the word leisure is attested as late as 1640:
Leisure:
a. Freedom or opportunity to do something specified or implied
b. opportunity
answered Apr 1 at 13:13
Pieter GeerkensPieter Geerkens
41.6k6118196
6
Click that little arrow and green thing for maximum thanksgiving @MalcolmNorman
– Dr. Shmuel
Apr 1 at 13:32
2
Note that this anachronism still exists in modern English; albeit as a part of a commonly used expression "at your leisure". e.g. "You need to do the dishes at your leisure".
– Stephen
Apr 2 at 6:33
add a comment |
Although marked as obsolete in the O.E.D. (1928), this oldest meaning for the word leisure is attested as late as 1640:
Leisure:
a. Freedom or opportunity to do something specified or implied
b. opportunity
answered Apr 1 at 13:13
Pieter GeerkensPieter Geerkens
41.6k6118196
Although marked as obsolete in the O.E.D. (1928), this oldest meaning for the word leisure is attested as late as 1640:
Leisure:
a. Freedom or opportunity to do something specified or implied
b. opportunity
answered Apr 1 at 13:13
Pieter GeerkensPieter Geerkens
41.6k6118196
answered Apr 1 at 13:13
Pieter GeerkensPieter Geerkens
41.6k6118196
answered Apr 1 at 13:13
Pieter GeerkensPieter Geerkens
41.6k6118196
answered Apr 1 at 13:13
Pieter GeerkensPieter Geerkens
41.6k6118196
41.6k6118196
6
Click that little arrow and green thing for maximum thanksgiving @MalcolmNorman
– Dr. Shmuel
Apr 1 at 13:32
2
Note that this anachronism still exists in modern English; albeit as a part of a commonly used expression "at your leisure". e.g. "You need to do the dishes at your leisure".
– Stephen
Apr 2 at 6:33
add a comment |
6
Click that little arrow and green thing for maximum thanksgiving @MalcolmNorman
– Dr. Shmuel
Apr 1 at 13:32
2
Note that this anachronism still exists in modern English; albeit as a part of a commonly used expression "at your leisure". e.g. "You need to do the dishes at your leisure".
– Stephen
Apr 2 at 6:33
6
6
Click that little arrow and green thing for maximum thanksgiving @MalcolmNorman
– Dr. Shmuel
Apr 1 at 13:32
Click that little arrow and green thing for maximum thanksgiving @MalcolmNorman
– Dr. Shmuel
Apr 1 at 13:32
2
2
Note that this anachronism still exists in modern English; albeit as a part of a commonly used expression "at your leisure". e.g. "You need to do the dishes at your leisure".
– Stephen
Apr 2 at 6:33
Note that this anachronism still exists in modern English; albeit as a part of a commonly used expression "at your leisure". e.g. "You need to do the dishes at your leisure".
– Stephen
Apr 2 at 6:33
add a comment |
The etymology of the word leisure traces it back to "license," permission to do something. In the context of a mine, it would mean permission to extract the ore.
Later, the connotation of the term changed to "take it easy," or permission to not do anything.The source opines that it may have developed in tandem with, or along the lines of, "pleasure," including becoming a rhyme (in British English).
answered Apr 1 at 17:59
Tom AuTom Au
77.8k11187410
add a comment |
The etymology of the word leisure traces it back to "license," permission to do something. In the context of a mine, it would mean permission to extract the ore.
Later, the connotation of the term changed to "take it easy," or permission to not do anything.The source opines that it may have developed in tandem with, or along the lines of, "pleasure," including becoming a rhyme (in British English).
answered Apr 1 at 17:59
Tom AuTom Au
77.8k11187410
add a comment |
The etymology of the word leisure traces it back to "license," permission to do something. In the context of a mine, it would mean permission to extract the ore.
Later, the connotation of the term changed to "take it easy," or permission to not do anything.The source opines that it may have developed in tandem with, or along the lines of, "pleasure," including becoming a rhyme (in British English).
answered Apr 1 at 17:59
Tom AuTom Au
77.8k11187410
The etymology of the word leisure traces it back to "license," permission to do something. In the context of a mine, it would mean permission to extract the ore.
Later, the connotation of the term changed to "take it easy," or permission to not do anything.The source opines that it may have developed in tandem with, or along the lines of, "pleasure," including becoming a rhyme (in British English).
answered Apr 1 at 17:59
Tom AuTom Au
77.8k11187410
answered Apr 1 at 17:59
Tom AuTom Au
77.8k11187410
answered Apr 1 at 17:59
Tom AuTom Au
77.8k11187410
answered Apr 1 at 17:59
Tom AuTom Au
77.8k11187410
77.8k11187410
add a comment |
add a comment |
Malcolm Norman is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Malcolm Norman is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Malcolm Norman is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Malcolm Norman is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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5
Is there a certain quotation you are trying to interpret? Including it here would help.
– Brian Z
Apr 1 at 13:45
3
As already mentioned, the term was used in the business name of a Cornish tin mine. Pieter Geerkens has now explained the usage, but thank you!
– Malcolm Norman
Apr 1 at 13:49
1
I don't personally consider this off-topic here. I know ELU sometimes fields historical usage questions, but they are really much better with contemporary usage. However, I'll look into migration if its what the author wants. Is it?
– T.E.D.♦
Apr 1 at 13:53
@BrianZ odds are asker has been reading/watching Poldark.
– AllInOne
Apr 1 at 17:46
@AllInOne: Yes indeed. That is evident from inspecting the edit history back to the original pair of questions that have now been separated.
– Pieter Geerkens
Apr 1 at 20:27