Shoot, I thought I had included that in the links. But yes, we think the diminutive is from his height, the "devil" from his predecessor Manteuffel, and that it changed with time--but caveat that this is all speculation.
My even more speculative explanation for "Diaphane" is supported by the description of Keyserlingk's appearance as "the sun breaking through the frosty winter fog." <3
(Funny enough, googling told me that Diablotin was also the name of a French chocolate candy. :P)
I agree with Selena: obviously there's a sweetness connection. ;)
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Re: Holes in the moon and magic castles, or: odds and ends in the Wilhelmine-Fritz correspondence
Date: 2020-11-07 05:53 pm (UTC)My even more speculative explanation for "Diaphane" is supported by the description of Keyserlingk's appearance as "the sun breaking through the frosty winter fog." <3
(Funny enough, googling told me that Diablotin was also the name of a French chocolate candy. :P)
I agree with Selena: obviously there's a sweetness connection. ;)