Talk:untrowable

RFV discussion: October–November 2020

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untrowable

According to an old dictionary, this appeared in Wyclif's Bible - Esther 2:15. However, nothing resembling this word comes up. I suspect poor lexi-skillz, or lexi-trolling. Daleusher (talk) 12:36, 17 October 2020 (UTC)

In the so-called “Early Wycliffe”, the original version of Wycliffe’s Bible, Esther 2:15 describes Esther as being “of fairnesse that may not liytli be bileuyd”, which has the same meaning, allegedly, as “untrowable fairness”. The Vulgate has incredibili pulchritudine, which means, straightforwardly, “of unbelievable beauty”. Can we find out what the Later Wycliffe and Douay–Rheims have?  --Lambiam 17:09, 17 October 2020 (UTC)

I have added two citations other than Wycliffe: A 1914 quote that is a modernization of Richard Rolle, who is, like Wycliffe, a 14th century (i.e. Middle English) writer; and an 1884 quote that is undeniably modern English. I don't much see the point of trying to track down a later version of Wycliffe, as it would still be Middle English. (Douay-Rheims does not use untrowable) Kiwima (talk) 23:07, 26 October 2020 (UTC)

The original OED (see reference I added) gives two uses from the 1500s but they may be Scots by our standards: Bellenden's translation of Livy[1] and Lyndesay's Monarche[2] spelled vntrowabyll. I think with the combination of Middle English, Scots, and English we can call this a real word with 3 original OED uses, an original OED mention, and 2 uses that postdate the original OED. Vox Sciurorum (talk) 23:29, 26 October 2020 (UTC)

RFV-passed, but barely. Kiwima (talk) 19:43, 24 November 2020 (UTC)