A question about the origin of pun. Our correspondent noticed that pun and pundit appeared in English at nearly the same time, that a pun “heaps together” different meanings (so Skeat), while the root of pundit (Sanskrit for “learned man”) also means “to heap, pile up.” Moreover, bunk “berth” may likewise go back to a word for “heap.” Is it possible that pundit and bunk provide a clue to the origin of pun?
The Dubious History of Pun (Pun Among Other Pungent Words)
Thursday, February 11, 2010
The Dubious History of Pun (Pun Among Other Pungent Words)
Posted by Blacky at 6:06 pm
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