pianiste

Forms

pianiste m or f by sense (plural pianistes)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French piano² + -iste.^[2][1][3] The name of the instrument is a shortening of piano-forte (1774), from Italian pianoforte, named for the hammers that let the player play softly or loudly.^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in November 1807, in the Journal des gourmands, for a person who plays the piano.^[2][5]

Semantic evolution

The word has kept its one sense, a player of the piano, whether professional or amateur.^[2][5][6] Older dictionaries dated it later: the BHVF has 1827, and Bloch and Wartburg give 1829.^[7][4] The jocular phrase ne tirez pas sur le pianiste, a plea for indulgence towards someone doing his best, alludes to a notice said to have hung in North American saloons; the Robert records it in 1962.^[5][6]

Timeline

• 1807 – First record, in the Journal des gourmands.^[2][5]
• 1827 – A use recorded by the BHVF.^[7]
• 1962 – Ne tirez pas sur le pianiste is recorded by the Robert.^[5]

Meanings

Noun

1. A pianist, a musician who plays the piano, especially as a profession: un pianiste de bar.^[6][2][1]
2. A person who plays the piano well as an amateur.^[6][5]
3. Ne tirez pas sur le pianiste: (familiar, humorous) a plea for indulgence towards someone who is doing his best.^[6][5]

Related words

• piano²
• pianoter
• pianistique

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e Trésor de la langue française informatisé (2004), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/tlfi; electronic version of Imbs, Paul; Quemada, Bernard, eds. (1971–1994), Trésor de la langue française, Paris: CNRS / Gallimard
3. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
5. ^ a b c d e f g Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
6. ^ a b c d e Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ a b Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF