(Catullus, 84.)
[43] Apart from assimilation, there is a tendency in English to substitute -m for -n, e.g. grogram for grogran (see p. [68]). In the family name Hansom, for Hanson, we have dissimilation of n (see p. [57]).
[44] Cf. the similar change in the family name Banister (p. [179]).
[45] It may be noted here that a buccaneer was not originally a pirate, but a man whose business was the smoking of beef in the West Indies. The name comes from a native word boucan, adopted into French, and explained by Cotgrave as a "woodden-gridiron whereon the cannibals broile pieces of men, and other flesh."
[46] Upholsterer has become specialised in sense; cf. undertaker (of funerals), and stationer, properly a tradesman with a station or stall. Costermonger illustrates the converse process. It meant originally a dealer in costards, i.e. apples. The French costermonger has the more appropriate name of marchand des quatre saisons.
[47] English i sometimes occurs as an attempt at the French and Celtic u; cf. brisk from brusque, periwig (p. [69]), and whisky (p. [68]).
[48] Our ancestors appear to have been essentially pacific. With fence, for defence, we may compare Ger. schirmen, to fence, from Schirm, screen (cf. Regenschirm, umbrella), which, passing through Italian and French, has given us skirmish, scrimmage, scaramouch (see p. [142]), and Shakespearean scrimer, fencer (Hamlet, iv. 7). So also Ger. Gewehr, weapon, is cognate with Eng. weir, and means defence—
"Cet animal est très méchant;
Quand on l'attaque, il se défend."
[49] "Now the time has come when the English will wish to ride."
[50] Cf. also Dan. Kjöbenhavn (Copenhagen), the merchants' haven, the numerous Swedish place-names ending in -köping, e.g. Jönköping, and our own Chippings, or market-towns.