Gully

[paul mann]

Does anybody knah the origin of the word 'gully' for kitchen knife?

[Brian Cross]

According to Google a Gully is simply a big Knife used years ago

Edited June 6, 2015 by Brian Cross

[paul mann]

Seems too simple, I thought it would have Norse origins. But my trusty Oxford Dictionary says a gully is indeed a large kitchen knife - origin unknown.

[threegee]

According to Merriam-webster the first known use as a knife was from 1582, and the first known use as a ditch, or water course, etc. is from 1637.  Origin: "probably alteration of Middle English golet ravine, throat".

 

Origin of gullet

Middle English golet, from Old French goulet, from goule, throat, from Latin gula. (The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th edition)

[pilgrim]

maybe a hybrid?? a very large kitchen knife and throat? could it be down to the pig killing at end of the year? have a listen to the national archive of audio recordings re the pig killing and other things which are fascinating

[Canny lass]

It's got a diminutive ending - might be something to do with guillotine perhaps?

[threegee]

We know a website all about those!

 

http://www.guillotine.dk/pages/history.html

 

Interesting that his name was Dr. Guillotin.  Simply a coincidence or a derived moniker?

[Canny lass]

Gruesome Reading 3g - except for Sanson's operating of the device "in dead earnest". That caused a chuckle but perhaps I have a warped sense of humour. It's no coincidence that the doctor's name was Guillotin. That was his real name and the Word guillotine is an eponymous construction - just like watt, wellington, stetson and volt. Even though the device was around long before the good doctor revolutionised legal murder, by making it more humane, it wasn't called a guillotine until the late 18th Century in honour of his work.

[threegee]

Sorry for not making myself clear.  I meant a coincidence between the Latin gula (derived French goulet) and the surname Guillotin.  I sort of imagined that the Dr may have had gully or similar manufacture in his family line and was simply expanding the family franchise!    OK, not a perfect match, but close enough to wonder.

 

Thanks for eponymous; I was groping for the word, but in the moment it escaped me! 

[Canny lass]

Glad to be of service!

[paul mann]

Gully, guillotine, gullet - seems like there should be a connection.

[Canny lass]

I Always thought it was slang, so I was surprised when Brian's post showed otherwise.