oproer

Forms

oproer n or m (plural oproeren, diminutive oproertje n)^[1]

Etymology

The EWN takes it as a noun from Dutch oproeren (“to stir someone up to something”), a verb found from 1487–1510 and formed from Dutch op + roeren in its general sense “to set in motion”.^[2][3][1] De Vries, De Vries & De Tollenaere and Van der Sijs instead regard the noun as borrowed from German Aufruhr, from the late Middle High German ûfruor, beside Middle Low German uprôr.^[4][5][6][7]

The same compound is found in Middle Low German and in Middle High German ⟨ûfruor⟩ (modern ⟨Aufruhr⟩); Swedish uppror was borrowed from Middle Low German.^[2][8]

Earliest recorded meaning

The EWN's first record is from 1520, monopolium tot eijniger twydrachticheijt offte oproer, a conspiracy to some discord or rising; about 1525 follows oproer ende moyterie, rebellion and mutiny.^[2] The Middelnederlandsch Woordenboek quotes a Holland text of 1523 on the forgiveness of those who took part in de oproer.^[8] Van der Sijs and De Vries & De Tollenaere date the word 1537, Van Veen & Van der Sijs 1562.^[6][5][3]

Semantic evolution

The word was at first masculine, as it still is in the south, and later neuter.^[9][10] In the 16th century it meant a general stir, commotion or bustle, as in a phrase book of 1573: Om een kleyn dinck grooten oproer maken, to make a great stir about a little thing.^[10] The main sense, a movement against public authority with disturbance of the peace, is quoted from 1566, together with phrases such as in oproer brengen (1587) and een oproer dempen (1688).^[10] It is used of an agitated mind from 1603.^[10] From 1820 it is also used of a storm at sea.^[10]

English uproar comes from it: Tyndale and Coverdale used the word in the 1520s as a loan translation of German Aufruhr or Dutch oproer in their Bibles, and the sense “noisy shouting” followed from the 1540s, by association with the unrelated roar.^[11][8][12] Danish oprør, Norwegian opprør, Swedish ⟨uppror⟩, Negerhollands oproer and Sranan Tongo opruru are also listed as borrowings.^[13][1]

Timeline

• 1520 – Oproer is first recorded, in a phrase about a conspiracy to discord or rising.^[2]
• 1523 – A Holland text speaks of de oproer.^[8]
• 1520s – Tyndale renders German Aufruhr or Dutch oproer as English uproar.^[11]
• 1537 – The date Van der Sijs gives for the sense “rising”.^[6][14]
• 1566 – The sense “rising against authority” is quoted in the Woordenboek der Nederlandsche Taal.^[10]
• 1573 – The sense “commotion, stir” is recorded.^[10]
• 1603 – First figurative use, of a troubled heart.^[10]

Meanings

Noun

1. A riot or uprising: a movement against public authority, with disturbance of public order and resistance to the government.^[15][10][1]
2. (dated) tumult, commotion, upheaval.^[10][1]

Word family

• broodoproer
• oproerig
• oproerkraaier
• oproerpolitie
• oproerling

Related words

• roeren
• ontroerd
• English uproar
• German Aufruhr

Usage notes

Oproer kraaien means to incite people to revolt, and het oproer kraait that a revolt is under way.^[15] The word is neuter in the Netherlands; in Belgium it is often still masculine.^[10][1]

References

1. ^ a b c d e f g Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d Philippa, Marlies; Debrabandere, Frans; Quak, Arend; Schoonheim, Tanneke; Sijs, Nicoline van der (2003–2009), Etymologisch woordenboek van het Nederlands, 4 vols., Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press; online via etymologiebank.nl
3. ^ a b Veen, P. A. F. van; Sijs, Nicoline van der (1997), Etymologisch woordenboek: de herkomst van onze woorden, 2nd ed., Utrecht / Antwerpen: Van Dale Lexicografie
4. ^ Vries, Jan de (1971), Nederlands etymologisch woordenboek, Leiden: Brill
5. ^ a b Vries, Jan de; Tollenaere, Félicien de (2004), Etymologisch woordenboek: onze woorden, hun oorsprong en ontwikkeling, 23rd ed., Utrecht: Het Spectrum, p. 274
6. ^ a b c Sijs, Nicoline van der (2001), Chronologisch woordenboek: de ouderdom en herkomst van onze woorden en betekenissen, Amsterdam / Antwerpen: Veen
7. ^ Sijs, Nicoline van der (2005), Groot leenwoordenboek, Utrecht / Antwerpen: Van Dale
8. ^ a b c d Verwijs, Eelco; Verdam, Jacob (1885–1929), Middelnederlandsch woordenboek, 11 vols., 's-Gravenhage: Nijhoff; gtb.ivdnt.org
9. ^ Franck, Johannes; Wijk, Nicolaas van (1912), Franck's Etymologisch woordenboek der Nederlandsche taal, 2nd ed., 's-Gravenhage: Nijhoff
10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Vries, Matthias de; Winkel, L. A. te, et al. (1882–1998), Woordenboek der Nederlandsche Taal, 29 vols., 's-Gravenhage / Leiden: Nijhoff / Sijthoff / SDU; supplement 2001; gtb.ivdnt.org
11. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
12. ^ Vercoullie, Jozef (1925), Beknopt etymologisch woordenboek der Nederlandsche taal, 3rd ed., 's-Gravenhage / Gent: Nijhoff / Van Rysselberghe & Rombaut
13. ^ Sijs, Nicoline van der (2010), Nederlandse woorden wereldwijd, Den Haag: Sdu; with additions from the Uitleenwoordenbank (2015)
14. ^ WikiWoordenboek (Dutch Wiktionary), nl.wiktionary.org
15. ^ a b Van Dale Groot woordenboek hedendaags Nederlands (2014), Utrecht / Antwerpen: Van Dale Uitgevers