Gorge
Kevin asked about the
connection between stuffing oneself with food (gorge) and the narrow opening
between hills (gorge). They definitely are connected. In each case a throat
shape is involved.
The word probably came from a Latin word, gurgulio, which meant the windpipe. At
first, gorge was the external throat, then the internal throat, then the crop
of a hawk, then a narrow opening between hills or a ravine with rocky walls. It led to an
image to express disgust: one’s gorge
rises, the prelude to vomiting. Gorge also had military and architectural
meanings.
The word
gorgeous is not related at all, though it shares a letter sequence. Gorgeous
probably came from an Old French word that meant elegantly or finely dressed.
However, the words gurgle and gargle are connected to gorge. That Latin word
mentioned earlier forms the base for each. It also figures in gargoyle, the
grotesque carving that often appeared on cathedrals. The gargoyle acted as a
rain spout—the water came flowing from its mouth.
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