Readers, Welcome to my blog (formerly Birds, Blooms, Books, etc). I'm entering a new decade taking on the challenge of moving from Maryland after living there 46 years and learning about my new home here in New England in the Live Free or Die state - New Hampshire. Join me as a write this new chapter of my life.
Sunday, September 22, 2024
Do You Know Why this Season is Called Fall?
Just look at the ground under this tree to answer that question.
Of course in England it's called Autumn - but it didn't used to be! It was called either "harvest" or, wait for it, "fall". "Autumn" came from French so was probably introduced by the Normans and, very gradually, replaced the older terms. The aristocracy spoke nothing but Norman French for the first few centuries after the Conquest. So the first people to move to N America were presumably of the poorer classes who, even later, still used "fall". My own father, a farm worker, always spoke of "harvest" or "harvest time", rarely "autumn".
Interesting. I never thought of that. I prefer autumn myself, for no reason other than fall has too many other definitions. Harvest is very fitting too.
6 comments:
Yes, I did know, but that tree is falling early, or so it seems to me. It is almost time to go a'leaf peeping.
Fall, in terms of falling leave has arrived prematurely. Not that the temperature is any indicator, however.,
Of course in England it's called Autumn - but it didn't used to be! It was called either "harvest" or, wait for it, "fall". "Autumn" came from French so was probably introduced by the Normans and, very gradually, replaced the older terms. The aristocracy spoke nothing but Norman French for the first few centuries after the Conquest. So the first people to move to N America were presumably of the poorer classes who, even later, still used "fall". My own father, a farm worker, always spoke of "harvest" or "harvest time", rarely "autumn".
I think we're having an early fall here too. But since I haven't gone up the mountains yet, don't take that as fact!
Lovely photo. Loved John's comment, above, too.
Interesting. I never thought of that. I prefer autumn myself, for no reason other than fall has too many other definitions. Harvest is very fitting too.
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