[Publib] "guybrarian"

[Kathleen Horan]

The word "librarian" was first noted in 1713, and the suffix -arian denoted a relation to the keeping of a repository of books, parchments, and manuscripts ("libri"). A related term is "librarius," meaning, roughly "having to do with books." 
 
The word "workaholic" follows a broader linguistic trajectory. It is a spin off the word "alcoholic," which makes perfect sense:  a person who is addicted to alcohol.  The suffix -aholic came to mean any person addicted to anything, e.g. chocaholic, even though this is obviously an incorrect abstraction.  The Online Etymology Dictionary (http://www.etymonline.com/) cites the old Rodney Dangerfield line:  "My father was a workaholic; every time he thought about working, he got drunk."
 
  -- Kathleen ; )
 
 
"Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the tasks which it constantly sets for each individual."     -- Victor E. Frankl
 
Kathleen P. Horan, M.L.S.
Branch Manager
Palm View Branch Library
McAllen, TX
956-688-3322

________________________________

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org on behalf of t
Sent: Thu 7/12/2007 1:11 AM
To: Publib email group
Subject: [Publib] "guybrarian"



Aren't you all embarrassed using a term that makes
absolutely no sense?  What is the meaning of the
suffix "brarian?"

It's almost as bad as "workaholic."  What is
"workahol?"

"Guybrarian" is almost cute, but mostly insulting.
Like "male nurse."
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