Rotwelsch etymology

Etymology

Rotwelsch is a Germanic language spoken by itinerant communities in Central and Eastern Europe. The name "Rotwelsch" is derived from the German words "Rot" (red) and "Welsch" (foreign), possibly referring to the red clothing worn by traveling merchants or the foreign jargon they used.

Meaning

Rotwelsch is a secret language used by itinerant communities to communicate with each other without outsiders understanding. It has been spoken by various groups, including traveling merchants, beggars, thieves, and vagrants.

Origin

The origins of Rotwelsch are uncertain, but it is thought to have developed from a combination of sources:

  • German - The majority of Rotwelsch vocabulary is derived from German, especially from the dialects spoken in Central and Eastern Europe.
  • Yiddish - Rotwelsch also contains many words borrowed from Yiddish, the language of Ashkenazi Jews.
  • Romani - Some words in Rotwelsch are of Romani origin, suggesting contact with Romani-speaking communities.
  • Other Languages - Rotwelsch has also borrowed words from other languages spoken in the regions where it is spoken, such as Czech, Polish, and Hungarian.

Over time, Rotwelsch has evolved into a highly specialized language with its own distinctive vocabulary, grammar, and syntax. It has been used to convey messages in secret, to establish group cohesion, and to protect group members from outsiders.

Usage

Rotwelsch is primarily spoken by itinerant communities in Central and Eastern Europe, but it has also spread to other parts of the world. It is still used by some groups for communication and cultural identity, but its use has declined in recent decades due to urbanization and assimilation.

Rotwelsch relate terms

  • ruddy

    Etymology From Middle English ruddy meaning red skinned ruddy from Old English

  • rust

    Etymology The word rust comes from the Old English word rust which in turn is derive

  • ruby

    Etymology The word ruby derives from the Latin rubeus meaning red This aligns wit

  • rubric

    Etymology The word rubric comes from the Latin rubrica meaning red earth or red

  • russet

    Etymology Middle English russet from Anglo Norman French russet from Old French rouss

  • dead

    Etymology Old English dead Proto Germanic dauðaz Proto Indo European dʰew Mea

  • bread

    Etymology The word bread originates from the Middle English word bred which is deriv

  • lead

    Etymology The word lead comes from the Old English word lēad which is ultimately d

  • Welsh

    Etymology Welsh Cymraeg Old Welsh Cumbric Brittonic Celtic Kombrogi Meaning Fe

  • Cornwall

    Etymology and Origin The name Cornwall is derived from the Cornish language word Kernow

  • Walloon

    Etymology The name Walloon derives from the Old French word walon meaning foreigner

  • walnut

    Etymology Old English wealhhnutu literally foreign nut Germanic walhnuz fore

  • welch

    Etymology The word welch is derived from the Middle English term welch or welsch w

  • bilirubin

    Etymology bili from Greek chole meaning bile rubin from Latin ruber meaning

  • corroborate

    Etymology Latin corrobōrāre con together with roborāre to strengthen

  • Eritrea

    Etymology The name Eritrea originates from the Greek term Erythra Thalassa meaning

  • erysipelas

    Etymology Erysipelas is derived from the Greek words erythros ἐρυθρός red

  • erythema

  • erythro

    Etymology Greek ἐρυθρός erythros meaning red Meaning Erythro refers t

  • Radnor

    Etymology and Origin The name Radnor has multiple possible etymologies and origins 1

  • roan

    Etymology Old English rūn a rune a magical letter or sign Proto Germanic rūnō

  • robust

    Etymology The word robust comes from the Latin word robur meaning oak tree Mean

  • rooibos

    Etymology of Rooibos Rooibos is a South African herbal tea made from the leaves of Aspala

  • Rotwelsch

    Etymology Rotwelsch is a Germanic language spoken by itinerant communities in Central and

  • rouge

    Etymology and Origin Rouge comes from the Old French word rouge which means red T

  • roux

    Etymology and Origin French roux Latin russus red reddish Meaning A roux is a

  • rowan

    Etymology The name Rowan derives from the Old Irish word ruadhán which means little

  • rubella

    Etymology Latin ruber meaning red Meaning An infectious disease characterized

  • rubicund

    Etymology Latin rūbicundus from rubēre to be red Proto Indo European hreudʰ

  • rubric

    Etymology The word rubric comes from the Latin rubrica meaning red earth or red

  • ruby

    Etymology The word ruby derives from the Latin rubeus meaning red This aligns wit

  • ruddock

    Etymology The surname Ruddock is derived from two Old English elements Rud Red Dock

  • ruddy

    Etymology From Middle English ruddy meaning red skinned ruddy from Old English

  • rufous

    Etymology Latin rufus Meaning red Origin The word rufous originates from th

  • Rufus

    Etymology The name Rufus derives from the Latin word rufus meaning red Meaning Ru

  • russet

    Etymology Middle English russet from Anglo Norman French russet from Old French rouss

  • rust

    Etymology The word rust comes from the Old English word rust which in turn is derive

  • bribe

    Etymology The word bribe comes from the Middle French word briber meaning to beg

  • kibitz

    Etymology Kibitz is derived from the Yiddish word kvibitsn meaning to look on and giv

  • argot

    Etymology From French argot from Old Occitan argot beggars slang jargon perhaps

  • hegemony

    Etymology Greek ἡγεμονία hēgemonía Latin hegemonia Meaning Supremac

  • algorithm

    Etymology The word algorithm is derived from the name of Muhammad ibn Musa al Khwarizm

  • appreciate

    Etymology Origin Latin appreciare from ad towards and pretium price value M

  • oasis

    Etymology The word oasis originates from the Greek word ὄασις oasis which in