GalacticCactus Forum

Forums => English & Linguistics => Topic started by: Ela on December 03, 2008, 11:51:13 AM

Title: Sweepstakes?
Post by: Ela on December 03, 2008, 11:51:13 AM

My daughter and I were wondering what the origin of that word is.

Why sweep? And what kind of stake?

Title: Sweepstakes?
Post by: Jonathon on December 03, 2008, 01:13:58 PM

It apparently has a pretty prosaic origin—according to Etymonline.com (http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=sweepstakes), it goes back to Middle English and means "one who sweeps or wins all the stakes in a game".

Title: Sweepstakes?
Post by: Ela on December 03, 2008, 02:59:41 PM

Thanks. That's a handy site to know about.

Googling "sweepstakes" just got me to sites offering sweepstakes. ;)

Title: Sweepstakes?
Post by: goofy on December 03, 2008, 04:20:59 PM

Quote

Thanks. That's a handy site to know about.

gaol (http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=gaol)

Title: Sweepstakes?
Post by: Ela on December 03, 2008, 04:23:20 PM

:lol:  

Title: Sweepstakes?
Post by: Jonathon on December 03, 2008, 04:52:03 PM

Ha! That's great.

Title: Sweepstakes?
Post by: rivka on December 03, 2008, 06:16:43 PM

(http://www.clipart.co.uk/clipart/mazeguy/animated/rotfl.gif)