gallows English · revision 1349

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈɡæləʊz/ ''(UK)''; /ˈɡæloʊz/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|galwes]], the plural of ''galwe'' “gallows”,^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) [[inh|ang|galga]] or ''gealga'',^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) from [[gem-pro|*galgô|t=pole]].^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) It is related to German ''Galgen'' “gallows”, Old Norse ''gelgja'' “pole, stake” and Gothic ''galga'' “cross”.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) The plural form reflects the two posts of the frame.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Old English used ''galga'' for a gallows and also for the cross of the crucifixion.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989) The plural form ''galwes'' is from about 1300.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ From the apparatus itself the word passed to the punishment of hanging (1483)^(OED 1989) and to a person who deserved hanging (1588).^(OED 1989) It was also applied to many structures with two uprights and a crosspiece,^(OED 1989)^(AHD) and to braces for trousers.^(Wiktionary)^(MW Collegiate) ''Gallows humour'' (1876) translates German ''Galgenhumor''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * about 725 – Old English ''galga'', in Beowulf.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * about 1300 – ''galwes''.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+ * about 1425 – adjective, deserving the gallows.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1483 – execution by hanging.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1588 – a person deserving the gallows.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1876 – ''gallows humor''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A frame of two upright posts and a crossbeam from which people are [[hang|alt=hanged]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Execution by hanging.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)

+ # A similar frame used to support or hang something.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[gallows bird]]

+ * [[gallows humor]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}