welch etymology

Etymology

The word "welch" is derived from the Middle English term "welch" or "welsch," which was used to refer to people and languages from Celtic-speaking regions, particularly Wales. The term ultimately originates from the Old English word "wealh," which denoted foreigners or strangers, and was applied specifically to Celts.

Meaning

In modern English, "welch" has several meanings:

• To break a promise or obligation
• To avoid paying a debt or obligation
• To speak or write in an incomprehensible or jumbled manner
• As an adjective, to describe something that is strange, foreign, or непонятный

Origin

The use of "welch" to mean "break a promise" or "avoid an obligation" is believed to have originated in the 19th century, possibly as a derogatory reference to Irish immigrants in the United States. It is thought that the term was used to imply that Irish people were untrustworthy and likely to default on their debts.

Over time, the term "welch" came to be applied more broadly to anyone who breaks a promise or obligation, regardless of their ethnicity or origin. It is now commonly used as a slang term to describe someone who is unreliable or untrustworthy.

The use of "welch" to describe something that is strange or incomprehensible is thought to have originated from the fact that Celtic languages, such as Welsh, were often unintelligible to speakers of English. This usage, which is now somewhat archaic, suggests something that is foreign, exotic, or difficult to understand.

Example Sentences

• "I can't believe he welched on our deal."
• "I think he's welching on his rent."
• "The professor spoke in a thick welch of technical jargon."
• "The old barn had a welch atmosphere, with its crumbling walls and overgrown weeds."

welch relate terms

• 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

• which

  Etymology Greek eidos form idea logos study discourse Meaning The stu

• teach

  Etymology Definition The study of the origin development and meaning of words Origin

• chisel

  Etymology The word chisel is derived from the Late Latin word cisellus which is the

• rote

  Etymology From German rot meaning red Meaning Red scarlet crimson Colloqu

• Indian

  Etymology The word Indian is derived from the Greek word Indos which referred to the

• renounce

  Etymology Origin Late Middle English in the sense abandon give up from Old Fr

• vernacular

  Vernacular Etymology Meaning A folk or common sense etymology that is not based on histo

• assess

  Etymology Etymology refers to the study of the origin and evolution of words and the chan

• patient

  Etymology Latin patiens Present participle of the verb pati meaning to suffer en

• save

  Etymology Old French sauve Latin salvus whole safe Meaning To protect or