Etymologically
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sogenannt

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Pronunciation

  • /ˈzoːɡəˌnant/[1]

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]

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