sogenannt

Forms

sogenannt (strong nominative masculine singular sogenannter, not comparable)^[1]

Etymology

It is a fusion from German so + genannt, the past participle of nennen “to name”.^[1][2] Paul thinks the phrase arose under the influence of the older French soi-disant, English so-called and probably Latin sic dictus.^[2] The Grimms also suggest the Latin model, which was already in use in the Middle Ages.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Paul's first record is from Lohenstein's Arminius (1689), where the Gauls' bodyguards are called die so genannten Soldurier; the word is listed in a dictionary from 1711 (Rädlein).^[2][3] At first it introduced a name or a technical term.^[2]

Semantic evolution

Already in the 18th century it was mostly used to express reserve or distance, quoting a name that others use without accepting that it fits.^[2][3] Writing it as one word began in the 18th century and became normal in the 19th, while so genannt in two words remains an accepted spelling.^[2][3][1] The abbreviation is sog.^[4][1]

Timeline

• 1689 – First record, in Lohenstein's Arminius.^[2]
• 1711 – Rädlein's dictionary lists it.^[2][3]
• 18th century – Use to express distance, and the first spellings as one word.^[2]
• 19th century – sogenannt written as one word is usual.^[3]

Meanings

Adjective

1. so-called: called by this name, introducing a term: die sogenannten Zugvögel.^[4][1]
2. (ironic) Used to show doubt that a name is deserved: seine sogenannten Freunde.^[4]

Related words

• nennen
• genannt

References

1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Paul, Hermann (2002), Deutsches Wörterbuch: Bedeutungsgeschichte und Aufbau unseres Wortschatzes, 10th ed., ed. Helmut Henne, Heidrun Kämper and Georg Objartel, Tübingen: Niemeyer
3. ^ a b c d e f Grimm, Jacob; Grimm, Wilhelm (1854–1961), Deutsches Wörterbuch, 16 vols. in 32, Leipzig: Hirzel; digital: Wörterbuchnetz, Trier Center for Digital Humanities, p. 16, 1406
4. ^ a b c Duden. Deutsches Universalwörterbuch (2007), 6th ed., Mannheim: Dudenverlag