Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:02 am What is the origin of the phrase, "egg him on"? |
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. Many dictionaries explain etymologies, EL:
[Origin: 1150–1200; ME < ON eggja to incite, deriv. of egg = edge. O.E. ecg "corner, edge," also "sword," from P.Gmc. *agjo (cf. O.N. egg, see egg (v.); Ger. Eck "corner"), from PIE base *ak- "sharp, pointed" (cf. L. acies, Gk. akis "point;" see acrid).]
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006. _________________ Canadian-American native speaker who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's ESL cafe: Interview with Mr. Micawber |
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