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ArchivesRe: Attn:- Chrisell, Kynaston, Silver
in reply to a message by Mark C.
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=caste
As you see the idea of the world Caste being used as a term to define race or level in society is rather late, mid 1500's and on. So unless the area of Whitecast was named later, its not likely to mean race. I thought this area was in Brittania, there weren't not Roman gypsies there, right?
Sorry, I confuse easily ^_^
As you see the idea of the world Caste being used as a term to define race or level in society is rather late, mid 1500's and on. So unless the area of Whitecast was named later, its not likely to mean race. I thought this area was in Brittania, there weren't not Roman gypsies there, right?
Sorry, I confuse easily ^_^
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Replies
Further thoughts
Looking at the derivation for caste, its likely it is not refferring to a race of people, but the earlier forms mean to cut, or to be seperate
White usually is to mean literally white, a person that is pale or has white hair, but can also be given rather symbolically for pure. Its background is meaning bright or to lighten.
So perhaps 'cut off' as in seperated the purity white symbolizes.
What I think though, like a lot of english place names, it is very litteral. White, meaning the colour and caste meaning cut off. So perhaps white cliffs (dover), or people that may have been sequestered there, monks? I know theres records of monks talking in albinos cause the people feared them. Is there anything in the area, perhaps rock composition that would be very white? I know some types of tree, when somewhat sunbeaten shine very white.
If there was a roman fort there... as I thought someone said, perhaps cut off simply means those in the fort, being so cut off from Rome, and perhaps white describing their believed purity as compared to the Pagans, or the fotress literally was white or bright.
Just some rambling thoughts
Looking at the derivation for caste, its likely it is not refferring to a race of people, but the earlier forms mean to cut, or to be seperate
White usually is to mean literally white, a person that is pale or has white hair, but can also be given rather symbolically for pure. Its background is meaning bright or to lighten.
So perhaps 'cut off' as in seperated the purity white symbolizes.
What I think though, like a lot of english place names, it is very litteral. White, meaning the colour and caste meaning cut off. So perhaps white cliffs (dover), or people that may have been sequestered there, monks? I know theres records of monks talking in albinos cause the people feared them. Is there anything in the area, perhaps rock composition that would be very white? I know some types of tree, when somewhat sunbeaten shine very white.
If there was a roman fort there... as I thought someone said, perhaps cut off simply means those in the fort, being so cut off from Rome, and perhaps white describing their believed purity as compared to the Pagans, or the fotress literally was white or bright.
Just some rambling thoughts
1