A gongfarmer is a bird of prey chaperone, and cloud architect is connected to secretaries and secrets. Alexander Tulloch explores the etymology behind these and other job titles, revealing fascinating historical information.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 02 October 2020
Publisher: Bodleian Library

A gongfarmer was a person who made gongs, which were percussion instruments used in various cultures throughout history. A chaperone was a person who accompanied someone, often a young woman, to social events or public places to ensure their safety and moral behavior. A bird of prey is a type of animal that hunts and eats other animals, and a chaperone was often used to protect the bird of prey from harm. The etymology behind the word cloud architect is not entirely clear, but it may be related to the word cloud, which refers to a large mass of water vapor in the sky. There is no direct link between secretaries and secrets, but secretaries are often responsible for managing and protecting confidential information.

What did a gongfarmer do?

A gongfarmer was a person who made gongs, which were percussion instruments used in various cultures throughout history. Gongs were made by striking a metal plate with a hammer or other instrument, creating a resonant sound. Gongs were used in religious ceremonies, music, and entertainment, and they were also used as a form of communication in some cultures. The gongfarmer's job was to create and maintain gongs, and they may have had a variety of skills, including metalworking, woodworking, and music.

How is a chaperone connected to a bird of prey?

A chaperone was a person who accompanied someone, often a young woman, to social events or public places to ensure their safety and moral behavior. Chaperones were often used in the past to protect women from unwanted attention or sexual assault. In the case of a bird of prey, a chaperone was used to protect the bird of prey from harm. The chaperone would accompany the bird of prey to its hunting grounds and would help to ensure that it was not disturbed or attacked by other animals. The chaperone would also help to ensure that the bird of prey was not injured during the hunt.

What is the etymology behind cloud architect?

The etymology behind the word cloud architect is not entirely clear, but it may be related to the word cloud, which refers to a large mass of water vapor in the sky. Cloud architects are responsible for designing and implementing cloud computing systems, which are used to store and manage large amounts of data. Cloud architects may have a variety of skills, including programming, networking, and security. The term "cloud architect" may have been coined to describe the role of these professionals in the modern era.

Is there a link between secretaries and secrets?

There is no direct link between secretaries and secrets, but secretaries are often responsible for managing and protecting confidential information. Secretaries may work in a variety of industries, including government, finance, and healthcare, and they may have access to sensitive information that could be harmful if it were leaked. Secretaries are trained to handle confidential information with care and to follow strict security protocols. However, there have been cases of secretaries who have been caught stealing confidential information or who have been involved in other security breaches. In conclusion, the story behind these (and many more) job titles is rarely predictable and often fascinating. In this highly original book,Alexander Tulloch examines the etymology behind a selection of trades and professions,unearthing intriguing nuggets of historical information along the way. Whether you are a linguist or simply interested in the quirky twists and turns of meaning which have given us the job titles with which we are familiar today, this book is sure to appeal to you.

Weight: 378g
Dimension: 126 x 192 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781851245505