Revamp
John in Glen Arbor asked about the word revamp. It
means to give a new and improved form, structure, or appearance to something.
The re- prefix means back or again,
and in this case, it signifies restoration.
Vamp is the
interesting element. Originally (1225) it meant a short stocking that covers
the foot and ankle. Then it transferred to the part of a boot or shoe that
covers the top of the foot.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 14/1 Of a Shooe:..the Vamp, is
all the piece that covers the top of the foot.
1706 Phillips's
New World of Words (ed. 6) ,
Vamps or Vampays, an odd kind of short Hose or Stockings that
cover'd the Feet, and came up only to the Ancle, just above the Shooe.
1706 Phillips's
New World of Words (ed. 6) ,
Vamp, the Upper Leather of a Shoe. [Oxford
English Dictionary]
It came from
the Old French avanpié, which broke down into avan(t) before + pié
foot.
Two other words
share the same spelling: vamp, a patchwork, and vamp, a woman who exploits men.
The latter has nothing to do with shoemakers. Rather, it’s an abbreviation of
vampire.
Available from McFarland & Co.: Word Parts Dictionary, 2nd edition
Nook edition
Nook edition
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