What did a gongfarmer do? How is a chaperone connected to a bird of prey? What is the etymology behind cloud architect? And is there a link between secretaries and secrets? The story behind these (and many more) job titles is rarely predictable and often fascinating. In this highly original book, Alexander Tulloch examines the etymology behind a selection of trades and professions, unearthing intriguing nuggets of historical information along the way. Here you will find explanations of common surnames, such as Spencer, Hayward and Fletcher; obsolete jobs such as pardoner, cordwainer or telegraph boy; and roles for the modern era, such as wedding planner, pundit and sky marshal. Packed with additional etymological information and literary quotations, this book will appeal not only to linguists but also to anyone interested in the quirky twists and turns of meaning which have given us the job titles with which we are familiar today.

Oorgange en voortgange is 'n bundel oorspronklike navorsingsartikels saamgestel as huldiging van prof. Heinrich Ohlhoff. Hy was sedert 1966 in verskeie hoedanighede verbonde aan die Universiteit van Pretoria. Hy is 'n gerekende kenner van die Afrikaanse poësie, maar ook ewe tuis op die terreine van die Afrikaanse taalkunde, Algemene Literatuurwetenskap, Goties en Kultuurteorie. As filoloog het sy navorsing gekonsentreer op Middeleeuse Europese kultuur, Renaissance studie en sewentiende-eeuse Nederlandse letterkunde. Hy is op al hierdie vakterreine 'n wandelende ensiklopedie.

Elkeen van die bydraers tot die bundel het 'n persoonlike verhouding met Heinrich Ohlhoff, as voormalige studente of vakkollegas. Van sy oudstudente het hom die eerste keer in hul voorgraadse klasse meegemaak, sommige het hom later as begeleier vir hul nagraadse studie gekies, in sigself klinkende getuienis van hul vertroue. Die studies wat hier opgeneem is, handel oor die Middeleeuse Nederlandse letterkunde, die Afrikaanse biografie, Afrikaanse mondelinge oordrag, akademiese geletterdheid, die leksikologie en veral die Afrikaanse prosa en poësie.

Hierdie vakverskeidenheid is toepaslik omdat Heinrich Ohlhoff op al hierdie terreine met gemak kan saampraat.

Founded in 1961, Studia Hibernica is devoted to the study of the Irish language and its literature, Irish history and archaeology, Irish folklore and place names, and related subjects. Its aim is to present the research of scholars in these fields of Irish studies and so to bring them within easy reach of each other and the wider public. It endeavours to provide in each issue a proportion of articles, such as surveys of periods or theme in history or literature, which will be of general interest. A long review section is a special feature of the journal and all new publications within its scope are there reviewed by competent authorities.