hangmat
Afrikaans edit
Etymology edit
From Dutch hangmat (which see), from Spanish hamaca, from Taíno *hamaka. Equivalent to hang (“to hang”) + mat (“mat”) by popular etymology.
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
hangmat (plural hangmatte)
Dutch edit
Etymology edit
From Spanish hamaca, from Taíno *hamaka, which changed to ham(m)ak and then, via hangmak, to hangmat, literally “hanging mat”. Modified by influence of hangen (“to hang”) + mat (“mat”). This development is a case of popular etymology. The first attestation of such an adapted form is in a German text; it is nevertheless believed that the German form is indeed borrowed from Dutch. See Hängematte for more. Compare also English hammock.
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
hangmat f (plural hangmatten, diminutive hangmatje n)
Descendants edit
- Afrikaans: hangmat
- → West Frisian: hingelmatte (calque)
- Swedish: hängmatta