Meaning "something poor or mediocre, a failure" is by 1936 in U.S. slang. From late 14c. as the name for a heavy metal clamp of some kind.Dog's age"a long time" is by 1836. Adjectival phrasedog-eat-dog"ruthlessly competitive" is by 1850s. Phraseput on the dog"get dressed up"...
Of water, "splash gently, flow against" first recorded 1823, based on similarity of sound. Figurative use oflap (something) up"receive it eagerly" is by 1890. Related:Lapped;lapping. The noun meaning "liquid food; weak beverage" is from 1560s. ...
I was thinking that this would develop more readly in an isolating language, with little or no pre-existing semantic load on variation of the verb. Wikipedia kindly confirms this for Wolof. But what about inherited Niger-Congo traits that might have prevented it? Did the branch that would eve...
I started Early — Took my Dog — I taste a liquor never brewed It was not Death, for I stood up I—Years—had been—from Home— Like Rain it sounded till it curved Much Madness is divinest Sense - My life closed twice before its close My Life had stood - a Loaded Gun...
lapdog lapel lapful lappet laptop lobe lop overlap wrap See all related words (15)> Advertisement Trends oflap Sharelap ‘cite’ https://www.etymonline.com/word/lap Etymology of lap by etymonline Harper, D. (n.d.). Etymology of lap. Online Etymology...