I recently came across this word "awol" that interested me, because I'd have never guessed that this was a grammatically correct word. Yes, this is a proper English word which actually means 'Absent WithOut Leave'.
Through a quick research ably assisted by our very own Dr. Google, here is what I found out: This American word traces its origin back to the 1860s, during the times of the Civil War. The phrase 'absent without leave' was used to designate those who were gone for a relatively short time, as opposed to permanent deserters. In the Army of the Confederacy, such a soldier was punished by being draped with a sign bearing the initials "A.W.O.L." to signify his crime, that is, being absent without leave! Humorously contrived attributions of the letters in the subsequent World Wars included "A Wolf On the Loose" and "After Women Or Liquor"! (source: http://www.answers.com/).
Quite interesting, considering that a phrase was turned into an acronym, which eventually became an english word on its own. English, for sure is a funny & tolerant language!
Quite interesting, considering that a phrase was turned into an acronym, which eventually became an english word on its own. English, for sure is a funny & tolerant language!
2 comments:
Interesting story...i am sure you must follow the open page column on tuesdays in the hindu...it is full of such interesting anecdotes or rather etymolgies-Hriday( MBA MS 09)
@Hriday - Thanks.. I used to follow the column many years back, but not anymore! Don't remember where I stumbled upon this word. But I had googled the references.
~Ganes.
Post a Comment