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Chris -- 2018-04-11
The word “derrick†is the news lately, what with the catastrophic destruction of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig and the spreading threat of the George W. Bush Memorial Oil Spill. A derrick is a machine for moving heavy loads. We most often hear it in reference to oil rigs: the Eiffel-Tower-like superstructure erected over oil drilling sites is called an “oil derrick.” The Deepwater Horizon has had a central derrick, as you can see in this picture.
Some people think the word is “derrig.†Perhaps they are inserting the semantics of “rig†into the word “derrick.” Oil drilling outfits, we note, are often called “oil rigs.†Three examples:
Fark forum: “They have instruments that record that kind of thing. There’s also mention on a oil derrig being hit by a 26 meter wave.â€
Ad on shopping site: “This wonderful hand-washable aluminum bowl boasts a rope border edge and is adorned with some favorite Texas icons – a longhorn steer, oil derrig, Lone Star, western boot and The Alamoâ€
Discussion board on news topics: “Yep, but it’s a spike. The refineries and oil derrigs went through a reinforcement after Hurricane Katrina, so they can sustain a lot more impact. â€
If you think “derrick†sounds like a person’s name, you’re right. The word for the machine actually derives from the name “Derrick.†An explanation of the etymology from Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day:
During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, London was the home of a notorious executioner named Derick. Among those he beheaded was the Earl of Essex, Robert Devereux, who according to a street ballad of the time had once saved the life of the ungrateful executioner. While members of the nobility were accorded the courtesy of beheading, it was the lot of commoners to be hanged, and those sent to face the rope at the hands of the executioner Derick nicknamed the gallows at Tyburn after him. Throughout the 17th century, “derick” was used as a name for both hangman and gallows. After the days of public hangings, the word “derrick” was adopted as a name for a number of less ominous frameworks or towers.
Last edited by kem (2010-05-15 14:33:32)
Hatching new language, one eggcorn at a time.
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Good one. I tried to go deeper into rig without avail. That one goes way back. Until quite recently it referred only to fitting out a ship. I couldn’t find the connection to oil derricks, except visually.
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