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"Smithereens"

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1

2009/12/12 - 9:40pm

What is the origin of the term "smithereens", as in "They blew him to smithereens."?

Guest

2009/12/13 - 6:53am

The American Heritage dictionary gives the following etymology:
From Irish Gaelic smidirÄ«n, diminutive of smiodar, small fragment.

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3

2009/12/13 - 9:53pm

The OED is less certain: "either adopted from, or the source of, mod.Ir. smidirÃn"

EmmettRedd

859 Posts

(Offline)

4

2009/12/14 - 4:41pm

the source of, mod.Ir. smidirÃn"

With this possibility and the OED inclusion of "smash" in the definition of "smithereen", could smithereens be the little bits of slag and metal (sparks) which often accompany a smith's hammering?

Can one try to work metal when it is too hot (almost liquid) and smash it all away into little bits on the first hammer blow?

Emmett

torpeau

Left coast of FL

97 Posts

(Offline)

5

2010/01/13 - 2:29pm

As a kid, I thought it was to "smear the marines."

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