28 APRIL 1906, Page 34

THE DERIVATION OF THE WORD "BOSS."

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR:1

SIR,—Your correspondent, Professor E. H. S. Schwarz, in last week's Spectator, has fallen into a somewhat curious error, reminding one of the celebrated "B S H M" (Bill Stumps his mark). The word " baas," so far from being of Hottentot origin, or derived from the Egyptian " Obas," is pure Dutch, and signifies "master." " Ou " is evidently a shortening or corruption of the Dutch " oud," meaning old; so that " ou bans" correctly written would be " oude bans," meaning "old master." "Yong" is evidently the Dutch " jong," meaning "young." Thus "yong' baas " stands for " jonge baas,"—i.e., "young master." The word " skelm " is undoubtedly the Dutch " schelm," meaning " rascal."—I am, Sir, &c.,