What is the history of the name and word 'Swindle'?
I know that the last name has German roots 'schwindel', but when did we start using it to refer to a con job?
Is there a historical story to it, like 'Ponzi'?
Every time I see that mailbox, it also reminds of the Sex Pistols... but that's another story!
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$4 Answers
"First seen in English in 1774, from German 'Schwindler' (giddy person, extravagant speculator, cheat), which is from 'schwindeln' (to be giddy, act extravagantly, swindle), itself from Old High German 'swintilon' (be giddy), which was a frequentative form of 'swintan' (to languish, disappear). Cognate with Old English 'swindan,' and probably with 'swima' (dizziness)."
Wiktionary outlines basically the same thing. So it looks like it wasn't necessarily in connection with someone named Swindle (or Schwindle, etc) but it had its origins in two similar-sounding words (swintilon and swintan) that combined in meaning over the years.
Hope that helps. :)
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Pronunciation: \ˈswin-dəl\
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): swin·dled; swin·dling \ˈswin(d)-liŋ, ˈswin-dəl-iŋ\
Etymology: back-formation from swindler, from German Schwindler giddy person, from schwindeln to be dizzy, from Old High German swintilōn, frequentative of swintan to diminish, vanish; akin to Old English swindan to vanish
Date: circa 1782
intransitive verb : to obtain money or property by fraud or deceittransitive verb : to take money or property from by fraud or deceit
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Ah-ha... Okay!
Thanks for helping me with this Miss Potter!
You're quite welcome, Miss Bunny! (Miss Phuphu...? lol!)
I'm not aware of the history behind "Munson" - care to enlighten? ;)
You'll have to see the movie 'Kingpin'. It's great!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116778/