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In the question "History of the phrase 'break wind'" I noted in the comment that the word "break" might have originated from


(see http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/blow) where blow could mean blow/strike/beat while the "wind" part comes from the word "flatus" which can be traced back to the the OE "blawan" since

There are three distinct blows in English. The commonest, the verb ‘send out air’ (OE), can be traced back to an Indo-European base *bhlā-. It came into English (as Old English blāwan) via Germanic *blǣ-, source also of bladder. The Indo-European base also produced Latin flāre ‘blow’, from which English gets flatulent and inflate

(see http://www.word-origins.com/definition/blow.html). The words blewwanan and blāwan are so close to each other and I'm guessing that each could have contributed to the coining of "break wind". Is there a technical term for this kind of coinage? If there is, can you give an example?

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closed as not a real question by Uticensis, MrHen, RegDwigнt Apr 28 '11 at 19:12


Fascinating question. I've not heard of a term for this kind of formation, but I'm definitely interested. (Also, thanks for quoting that research). I'll be watching this space… – user3217 Apr 25 '11 at 3:56
@Jonathan Sterling false cognates en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_cognate comes to mind but it's not exactly that or is it a "false cognate pair"? – Paul Amerigo Pajo Apr 25 '11 at 4:08
@page: The term doublet seems closer in meaning: Two words with the same root. Is the more generic question here about an idiom with two similar roots? I am having a little trouble understanding exactly what definition would satisfy. "Similar sounding" is probably going to cause difficulty in finding an exact term. – MrHen Apr 25 '11 at 21:46
@MrHen a false doublet! :) is there such a thing? :P – Paul Amerigo Pajo Apr 25 '11 at 23:34
I still don't understand what this development is that you have in mind. I don't understand the steps that lead from one thing to another in your theory. I don't think there is any connection between "break" and "wind" except that they were combined to form the expression "to break wind". The use of the word "wind" is obvious; "break" is used to describe a sudden instance of using or doing something for the first time. Cf. "break the news", "break in my new video card", etc. – Cerberus Apr 26 '11 at 2:52
up vote 1 down vote accepted

Okay, I will go out on a limb and suggest the following term and matching usage. The more feedback you give here will help others get you a better answer.

The setup banks on the word doublet:

In etymology, two or more words in the same language are called doublets or etymological twins (or possibly triplets, etc.) when they have the same etymological root but have entered the language through different routes.

The term false cognate:


Which uses cognate (and ties back to doublet):

Cognates are words that have a common etymological origin. Cognates within the same language are doublets.

Your question as I have interpreted it is asking:

What is an appropriate term for a set of words that have similar but not identical roots?

"False cognate" would work here except for the specification that this "set" needs to be conjoined into a phrase or usage such that the set could have been formed due to the false cognate. In other words:

What is an appropriate term for a phrase birthed from a false cognate?

Since your example uses two roots from the same language, we can also say this:

What is an appropriate term for a phrase birthed from a false doublet?

A false doublet in this context would mean:

A false cognate in which both roots are from the same language.

Therefore, I propose the term "idiomatic false doublet":

An idiom or set of words that use multiple roots which could easily be mistaken for each other. These roots are from the same language and often have similar spellings, meanings and pronunciations.

Comparing this term with your original example and using everything together:

"Break wind" could be an idiomatic false doublet formed from the separate roots "blewwanan" and "blāwan". The confusion and similarity beween the two roots may have resulted in the now common phrase.

The only thing missing from your request is the implication that the connection between roots is responsible for the coinage. I don't really see this implication as a useful addition to a technical term that is already assuming so much of the idiom and its roots. The discussion of roots already suggests a related etymology; I hope that is enough to satisfy.

Of note, I am completely guessing and shooting in the dark. Anyone with more knowledge of the technical terms is welcome to weigh in and contribute some accuracy or corrections. My intention was to get something in place so as to provide any answer at all. Even if it is wrong or useless, hopefully it will inspire a better response.

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+1 excellent answer - I was looking at eggcorn actually - if there is something like a "false eggcorn idiomatic pair" :) and now with your quote, searches for etymology of "break wind" will funnel here haha :) – Paul Amerigo Pajo Apr 26 '11 at 18:46
