G'day again leeneia,

Well, my reference to the opinion in my Concise Oxford was a bit reserved. Until I see the citations in the full OED, it's all supposition - and it's a basic principle to mistrust derivations supported only by contemporary stories. I've certainly had other thoughts on the origins of that word ... but the full citations in the 20+ volume 'on historic principles' ... i.e., supported by documented citations would be the only real decider. I can't afford the cost or the space ... and the CD is still disproportinately expensive.

That said, I note that the English have had prominent persons with the name surname Tweedy (or, more commonly Tweedie) ... and not, apparently, mocked them for it. They are different from Americans.

Regards,

Bob