Jubilant

[Dieter Britz]

It seems to me that the word "jubilant" derives from a
base that doesn't exist - or does it? In Danish we have
the verb "at juble" and in German "jubeln", but is there a
verb in English for this, that has the same origin?

On the other hand we have "expectant" derived from the verb
"to expect", so I expect something like "to jubil". Strange.

[Molly Mockford]

Post by Dieter Britz
It seems to me that the word "jubilant" derives from a
base that doesn't exist - or does it? In Danish we have
the verb "at juble" and in German "jubeln", but is there a
verb in English for this, that has the same origin?
On the other hand we have "expectant" derived from the verb
"to expect", so I expect something like "to jubil". Strange.

There was originally a verb "to jubilate" which is now archaic. See
<http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/jubilate>. From that
verb, of course, we get "jubilation" as well as "jubilant". "Jubilee"
is of totally different origin.

[Dev]

Post by Molly Mockford

Post by Dieter Britz
It seems to me that the word "jubilant" derives from a
base that doesn't exist - or does it? In Danish we have
the verb "at juble" and in German "jubeln", but is there a
verb in English for this, that has the same origin?
On the other hand we have "expectant" derived from the verb
"to expect", so I expect something like "to jubil". Strange.

There was originally a verb "to jubilate" which is now archaic. See
<http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/jubilate>. From that
verb, of course, we get "jubilation" as well as "jubilant". "Jubilee"
is of totally different origin.

Not a totally different origin; the vowels of 'jubilee' come from the Latin
'jubilare', else it would be 'jobeli' (with long o and e) and possibly just
'yobel'.

[Molly Mockford]

Post by Dev

"Jubilee" is of totally different origin.

Not a totally different origin; the vowels of 'jubilee' come from the Latin
'jubilare', else it would be 'jobeli' (with long o and e) and possibly just
'yobel'.

Well, OxfordDictionaires.com says "late Middle English: from Old French
jubile, from late Latin jubilaeus (annus) '(year) of jubilee', based on
Hebrew yo-b_e-l, originally 'ram's-horn trumpet', with which the jubilee
year was proclaimed" - so they agree with yobel, but not jubilare.

[Dev]

Post by Molly Mockford

Post by Dev

"Jubilee" is of totally different origin.

Not a totally different origin; the vowels of 'jubilee' come from the
Latin 'jubilare', else it would be 'jobeli' (with long o and e) and
possibly just 'yobel'.

Well, OxfordDictionaires.com says "late Middle English: from Old French
jubile, from late Latin jubilaeus (annus) '(year) of jubilee', based on
Hebrew yo-b_e-l, originally 'ram's-horn trumpet', with which the jubilee
year was proclaimed" - so they agree with yobel, but not jubilare.

As does dictionary.reference.com but it also adds that the L. comes from
the Late Greek 'iobelaios' (with o and e > u and i by assimilation to Latin
'jubilare' to shout for joy), and that from the Hebrew.

I don't know how etymologically sound that is but it does seem not at all
unreasonable to think that a word meaning 'rejoice' differing only in
vowels from the similar Hebrew might well contribute to the Latin/English
word which has both meanings.

Nor would I be at all surprised to learn that the Latin or Greek word
originally influenced the Hebrew use of the term. Given the lack of vowels
in Hebrew, it's highly likely that folk etymology* played a big part in
shaping the language.



* "Jubilee? Must come from the ram's horn we blow; I think we should
pronounce it 'yobhel'. Anyway, 'jubilee' sounds far too Latin!"

[Phil C.]

Post by Dieter Britz
It seems to me that the word "jubilant" derives from a
base that doesn't exist - or does it? In Danish we have
the verb "at juble" and in German "jubeln", but is there a
verb in English for this, that has the same origin?
On the other hand we have "expectant" derived from the verb
"to expect", so I expect something like "to jubil". Strange.

(To add to other replies) All human languages are strange - each in its
own way. Some aspects of German or Danish probably seem strange to
English speakers. In English, it's always dangerous to be assume that
any rule "ought" to exist. Many aspects of the language are illogical
and just have to learned by rote or familiarity. I was lucky(?) - I'm a
native English speaker and "my" language just happens, by accident of
history, to have become a world language. Otherwise I might have to
learn Dutch or German or Korean or Japanese or....(take your pick). My
sympathies to all who need to learn any foreign language as adults.