ETYMOLOGIZING DEPRECATORY REDUPLICATIVE COMPOUNDS OF THE TYPES FLIM-FLAM AND HIGGLEDY-PIGGLEDY (PART I)

Sample English reduplicative compounds on the model of flim-flam and higgledy-piggledy are analyzed for the interplay of formal features (alliteration, vowel alternation, rhyme), semantics (as parts and wholes), and obscure origins. Loans, new coinages, internal realignment, register, and affect are discussed. Inadequacies in earlier lexicographical, especially etymological, treatment are remedied.

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