Grammar and Glamour

J Ayto, 'Dictionary of Word Origins',(Colombia Marketing 1990), p. 256. Ayto says, " Unlikely as it may seem, glamour is ultimately the same word as grammar." He goes on to explicate the connection, and this is interesting especially in regard to the way the poem is working.

"Glamour, 18th century. ... This seems to have been used in the Middle Ages for 'learning' in general, and hence, by superstitious association, for 'magic' (there is no actual record of this, but the related gramarye was employed in that sense). Scottish English had the form glamour for grammar (l is phonetically close to r, and the two are liable to change places), used for 'enchantment,' or a 'spell,' for whose introduction to general English Sir Walter Scott was largely responsible. The literal sense 'enchantment' has now slipped into disuse, gradually replaced since the early 19th Century by 'delusive charm,' and latterly 'fashionableness.' "

Clamour derives in 'claim', which, according to Ayto, ultimately derives in the Indo-Eurpoean onomatopoeic base kla which also produced low, 'to make the characteristic noise of cattle'.

Their? Who are they? Words themselves.

Meanings like Fox's are a difficult chase when the lair and the liar are easily confused with the sweet notes of the lyre.

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