Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun US A proposition or point of view to advocate, especially motivated by
self-interest - noun US a
grudge
Etymologies
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Examples
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cohenizzy commented on the word ax to grind
“Ax to grind” is a homonym with different semantics in England and the United States. In both cases it is an idiom formed by phono-semantic matching.
The American meaning is “an ulterior motive”. It was derived from German acht(ung) = be aware, beware, pay attention + Grund = basis, reason, grounds … probably via Pennsylvania Dutch. Compare German Beweggrund = motive. This idiom was used by Benjamin Franklin who was (among his many other accomplishments) the editor of a German language newspaper.
The British spelling is usually “axe” and its meaning is “a strong opinion” possibly derived from Hebrew opinion = עַשׁתוּת aSHToot + (figuratively) strength, might, power = קֶרֶן KeReN => KaShTot + GeReN => aX To GRiNd.
December 25, 2020
cohenizzy commented on the word ax to grind
A “hatchet to grind” and an “axe to chop with” do not have a similar meaning because neither sounds like the source. In addition, the parts of speech in the idiom and its source may not match. “Axe” is usually a noun and “grind” is usually a verb. But in the American idiom “axe” is a verb and “grind” is a noun. The g at the end of acht(ung) merges with the G in Grund to become the g in grind. So even the word divisions in the source and the idiom may not match.
December 25, 2020
bilby commented on the word ax to grind
What a load of rubbish.
December 28, 2020