> the etymological note we have describes the linking of ass and hat as “seemingly nonsensical”
What? It's obviously a reference to having your head up your ass, thus turning your ass into a hat.
What? It's obviously a reference to having your head up your ass, thus turning your ass into a hat.
As a French, I have another explanation. The french equivalent to a "dunce cap" is "bonnet d'âne". "bonnet" means "cap" and "âne" means "donkey", so "bonnet d'âne" literally translates into "asshat".
It is probably not the true origin of the word, but it is not impossible either. Also, words can have several origins.
In the example you gave, if it is not an origin, it could at least be a lingual context that supports the expression, because it does not contradict it.
Language evolution must be full of nuances like that, that we can barely observe.
What a great word, thanks for sharing!
On the third hand, I'm not sure that "fatass" really means "your ass is fat" specifically; I've always understood it to mean "you are fat, and an ass." That is, I take it in this respect to be like "dumbass": "you are dumb, and an ass", not "your ass is dumb".
Yes, that is my interpretation—unless you mean to dispute my claim that "fat-ass" means "fat, and an ass" by asserting instead that "-ass" is a meaningless intensifier. I'm also OK with that interpretation; what I mean to reject is the interpretation that "fat-ass" means anything specifically about a fat ass, as opposed to fatness in general.