The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #137047   Message #3134687
Posted By: Bob Bolton
13-Apr-11 - 06:53 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: English and irish song
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: English and irish song
G'day Mysha,

"Macaronic" has an older history than our modern pasta ... although it may refer to earler (longer) forms pf Italian pasta.

The Oxford Dictionary (my work desk Oxford Concise Australian Dictionary, 3rd ed.) defines the term then adds [earlier = of the nature of a jumble or medley modern Latin macaronicus from obsolete Italian macaronico, jocularly formed as MACARONI]

I'll have to wait till I'm near my home (CD) copy of the full OED to get a more detailed history and dating!

Regards,

Bob