" YEOMAN "
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] -Sta,--From the time-of Dr. Johnson's great Dictionary of the English-Language- down •to the new Oxford English Dictionary, recently published, all the etymological experts seem to have agreed that the -derivation of the word- " Yeoman " is un- certain. Johnson-says : " Of this word the original is much doubted ; the true etymology seems to be that of Junius who derives it from Geman, Frisick, a villager." Most of the later English Dictionaries have followed this suggestion, although all agree as to its uncertainty. . The new OXfoid English Dictionary reverts, however, I believe, to an old supposition, that the word is derived from Youngman.
Many of us regard the Spectator as .one of the most trusted guardians of our English tongue. May I then appeal to any of your readers who may be experts in etymology to :coil-
-Rider another suggeSted derivation, much more reasonable, as it would appear to be, to ordinary common sense ? The Anglo-Saxon .name for Yoke, was Geoc. In Shropshire,. and in that'Part of England where old words live longest, many
are familiar with the folloWing terms connected with " Yoke," or " Abreast," ploughing-viz., when the ploughman has noboy, but from the plough tail drives with cords his two horses, or, as it once Wits; his two oxen abreast :- " PLOUGHING G:0: "=Geoc ploughing=-Yoke ploughing. _ " =Yoke reins or ropes.
" G:0: T-ACK"=Geoe tack=Yoke taekle, or harness.
(The Yoke has now developed-into-the Coupling Bari.e., the-Bar
. . coupling the two horses'. beads.)
-Thus--would-follow Geocman =Yokeman. - A Yokemitni or Yeoman, would- come to mean a man who owned- a- yoke- of oxen; or horses, and so a small- farmer. Cf: the well-known descriptions in the Domesday Book of -so many- ploughs; or
yoke of oxen, in a demesne: It is objected to the suggestion here made that " the early spellings of the word- Yeoman-do not in any way support such a derivation." But surely
" Yoman," or " Yeman " (cf. Chaucer., &c.) would seem to he as kindly disposed towards " Yokeman =Yeonutn " as to-
wards any others of the suggested derivations. Perhaps some • Rutland Lodge, Petersham, Surrey.-
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