Talk:alley

Etymology

Etymology here is uncontestable. The etymology of this word ALLEY is my key test for English dictionaries. If they state that French ALLER, ultimately < L. AMBULARE[0] (> O.F. AMBLER > English AMBLE[8]), the dictionary is returned to the shelf! Wiktionary's etymology here is the place to stop, until there appears an ascertainable Gallic word[5] that links both ALLER and the subjunctive of the Cornish 'to go'[4]. Compare Gallo-Latin ALLARI[6].[Online Etymological Dictionary]. See aller for comprehensive discussion on its origin; but there is no reliable evidence for any connection with amble or ambulare.

[0] means 'Absolutely not; [1] means 'Exceedingly unlikely'; [2] means 'Very dubious'; [3] means 'Questionable'; [4] means 'Possible'; [5] means 'Probable'; [6] means 'Likely'; [7] means 'Most Likely' or *Unattested; [8] means 'Attested'; [9] means 'Obvious' - only used for close matches within the same language or dialect, at linkable periods.

Andrew talk 20:47, 4 November 2015 (UTC)Andrew 10:25