18th-Century Characters, Including Frederick the Great, Discussion Post 37

[cahn]

More diaries of our favorite 18th-century Prussian diary-keeper have been unearthed and have been synopsized!

January 18th: Blessed be thou to me! Under your light, my Prince Heinrich was born!

Comments

Re: Cunegonde's Kidnapping - Kidnapping, Trial, and Religious War

[mildred_of_midgard]

As the author says, he literally "flouted" the law!

From the OED's entry on "flout":

Etymology: First recorded in 16th cent.; possibly special use (preserved in some dialect) of floute , Middle English form of flute v. to play on the flute. Compare a similar development of sense in Dutch fluiten to play the flute, to mock, deride.

Re: Cunegonde's Kidnapping - Kidnapping, Trial, and Religious War

[cahn]

I DID NOT KNOW that "flout" came from "flute"! And that apparently playing the flute was a traditional way to mock people?? no wonder it was Fritz's favorite instrument

Re: Cunegonde's Kidnapping - Kidnapping, Trial, and Religious War

[luzula]

Fascinating! I immediately wondered if 'flyting' had the same origin, but no, it doesn't.

Re: Cunegonde's Kidnapping - Kidnapping, Trial, and Religious War

[mildred_of_midgard]

ROFL!

Clearly the flute spoke to him in a way that no other instrument did. :P