When and how was “bombax!” used?











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I found the exclamation bombax! in Plautus' Pseudolus (Pl. Ps. 1.3.131), where note 19 specifies it is a Greek loanword (βομβάξ in fact) used as an interjection of contempt. This agrees with what is stated in this 18th century edition.



However, here bombax is said to mean "Splendid!", "Marvelous!", while Lewis and Short states it is an exclamation of real or affected surprise.



Finally, according to the Italian Olivetti Latin Dictionary it can be translated as accidenti!, which in fact has both nuances of meaning.



So what is it, and would 200 AD Romans still use this exclamation?










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    I found the exclamation bombax! in Plautus' Pseudolus (Pl. Ps. 1.3.131), where note 19 specifies it is a Greek loanword (βομβάξ in fact) used as an interjection of contempt. This agrees with what is stated in this 18th century edition.



    However, here bombax is said to mean "Splendid!", "Marvelous!", while Lewis and Short states it is an exclamation of real or affected surprise.



    Finally, according to the Italian Olivetti Latin Dictionary it can be translated as accidenti!, which in fact has both nuances of meaning.



    So what is it, and would 200 AD Romans still use this exclamation?










    share|improve this question
























      up vote
      12
      down vote

      favorite









      up vote
      12
      down vote

      favorite











      I found the exclamation bombax! in Plautus' Pseudolus (Pl. Ps. 1.3.131), where note 19 specifies it is a Greek loanword (βομβάξ in fact) used as an interjection of contempt. This agrees with what is stated in this 18th century edition.



      However, here bombax is said to mean "Splendid!", "Marvelous!", while Lewis and Short states it is an exclamation of real or affected surprise.



      Finally, according to the Italian Olivetti Latin Dictionary it can be translated as accidenti!, which in fact has both nuances of meaning.



      So what is it, and would 200 AD Romans still use this exclamation?










      share|improve this question













      I found the exclamation bombax! in Plautus' Pseudolus (Pl. Ps. 1.3.131), where note 19 specifies it is a Greek loanword (βομβάξ in fact) used as an interjection of contempt. This agrees with what is stated in this 18th century edition.



      However, here bombax is said to mean "Splendid!", "Marvelous!", while Lewis and Short states it is an exclamation of real or affected surprise.



      Finally, according to the Italian Olivetti Latin Dictionary it can be translated as accidenti!, which in fact has both nuances of meaning.



      So what is it, and would 200 AD Romans still use this exclamation?







      classical-latin vocabulary greek old-latin plautus






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      asked Nov 11 at 13:04









      Vincenzo Oliva

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          From the Scholia Graeca in Comoedias Aristophanis, we find the following definition of βομβάξ:




          βομβάξ - παρεμβολοειδής ἐστι τοῦτο ἐπίρρημα καὶ σημαίνει διασυρμόν.
          βομβάζειν γὰρ δηλοῖ διασύρειν. βομβάζειν γὰρ δηλοῖ διασύρειν,
          τωθάζειν, σκώπτειν, καὶ χλευάζειν, λοιδορεῖν τε.




          Translation:




          βομβάξ - an interjection said in response to something, signifying
          disparagement or ridicule. For βομβάζειν is to disparage openly, mock, jeer,
          scoff at or revile.




          Here's some of the definitions of the words used:




          • διασύρειν - to disparage, ridicule (literally, to tear into pieces)

          • τωθάζειν - to mock, jeer at, flout

          • σκώπτειν - to mock, jeer, scoff at

          • χλευάζειν - to jest, scoff

          • λοιδορεῖν - to abuse, revile


          Furthermore, other dictionaries have recognized that bombax may be used to express contempt. The Lexicon of Forcellini, for example, has the following:




          BOMBAX! Interjectio est hominis laete, vel cum admiratione approbantis vel etiam negeligentis et contemnentis.




          Ainsworth's Dictionary:




          Bombax - interj contemnentis vel negligentis Pooh! Pooh! Plaut.




          A New and Copious Lexicon of the Latin Language:




          Bombax! - an interjection of contempt, poh! pish! Plaut.







          share|improve this answer






























            up vote
            4
            down vote













            The passage in Plautus seems to be the one and only attestation for "bombax" in Latin. The dictionary definition "an exclamation of real or affected surprise" fits it very well.






            share|improve this answer

















            • 2




              Though it does not include the contempt bit, I think it would be strange if it were wrongly present in that 18th century edition.
              – Vincenzo Oliva
              Nov 11 at 13:34













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            2 Answers
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            2 Answers
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            up vote
            9
            down vote



            accepted










            From the Scholia Graeca in Comoedias Aristophanis, we find the following definition of βομβάξ:




            βομβάξ - παρεμβολοειδής ἐστι τοῦτο ἐπίρρημα καὶ σημαίνει διασυρμόν.
            βομβάζειν γὰρ δηλοῖ διασύρειν. βομβάζειν γὰρ δηλοῖ διασύρειν,
            τωθάζειν, σκώπτειν, καὶ χλευάζειν, λοιδορεῖν τε.




            Translation:




            βομβάξ - an interjection said in response to something, signifying
            disparagement or ridicule. For βομβάζειν is to disparage openly, mock, jeer,
            scoff at or revile.




            Here's some of the definitions of the words used:




            • διασύρειν - to disparage, ridicule (literally, to tear into pieces)

            • τωθάζειν - to mock, jeer at, flout

            • σκώπτειν - to mock, jeer, scoff at

            • χλευάζειν - to jest, scoff

            • λοιδορεῖν - to abuse, revile


            Furthermore, other dictionaries have recognized that bombax may be used to express contempt. The Lexicon of Forcellini, for example, has the following:




            BOMBAX! Interjectio est hominis laete, vel cum admiratione approbantis vel etiam negeligentis et contemnentis.




            Ainsworth's Dictionary:




            Bombax - interj contemnentis vel negligentis Pooh! Pooh! Plaut.




            A New and Copious Lexicon of the Latin Language:




            Bombax! - an interjection of contempt, poh! pish! Plaut.







            share|improve this answer



























              up vote
              9
              down vote



              accepted










              From the Scholia Graeca in Comoedias Aristophanis, we find the following definition of βομβάξ:




              βομβάξ - παρεμβολοειδής ἐστι τοῦτο ἐπίρρημα καὶ σημαίνει διασυρμόν.
              βομβάζειν γὰρ δηλοῖ διασύρειν. βομβάζειν γὰρ δηλοῖ διασύρειν,
              τωθάζειν, σκώπτειν, καὶ χλευάζειν, λοιδορεῖν τε.




              Translation:




              βομβάξ - an interjection said in response to something, signifying
              disparagement or ridicule. For βομβάζειν is to disparage openly, mock, jeer,
              scoff at or revile.




              Here's some of the definitions of the words used:




              • διασύρειν - to disparage, ridicule (literally, to tear into pieces)

              • τωθάζειν - to mock, jeer at, flout

              • σκώπτειν - to mock, jeer, scoff at

              • χλευάζειν - to jest, scoff

              • λοιδορεῖν - to abuse, revile


              Furthermore, other dictionaries have recognized that bombax may be used to express contempt. The Lexicon of Forcellini, for example, has the following:




              BOMBAX! Interjectio est hominis laete, vel cum admiratione approbantis vel etiam negeligentis et contemnentis.




              Ainsworth's Dictionary:




              Bombax - interj contemnentis vel negligentis Pooh! Pooh! Plaut.




              A New and Copious Lexicon of the Latin Language:




              Bombax! - an interjection of contempt, poh! pish! Plaut.







              share|improve this answer

























                up vote
                9
                down vote



                accepted







                up vote
                9
                down vote



                accepted






                From the Scholia Graeca in Comoedias Aristophanis, we find the following definition of βομβάξ:




                βομβάξ - παρεμβολοειδής ἐστι τοῦτο ἐπίρρημα καὶ σημαίνει διασυρμόν.
                βομβάζειν γὰρ δηλοῖ διασύρειν. βομβάζειν γὰρ δηλοῖ διασύρειν,
                τωθάζειν, σκώπτειν, καὶ χλευάζειν, λοιδορεῖν τε.




                Translation:




                βομβάξ - an interjection said in response to something, signifying
                disparagement or ridicule. For βομβάζειν is to disparage openly, mock, jeer,
                scoff at or revile.




                Here's some of the definitions of the words used:




                • διασύρειν - to disparage, ridicule (literally, to tear into pieces)

                • τωθάζειν - to mock, jeer at, flout

                • σκώπτειν - to mock, jeer, scoff at

                • χλευάζειν - to jest, scoff

                • λοιδορεῖν - to abuse, revile


                Furthermore, other dictionaries have recognized that bombax may be used to express contempt. The Lexicon of Forcellini, for example, has the following:




                BOMBAX! Interjectio est hominis laete, vel cum admiratione approbantis vel etiam negeligentis et contemnentis.




                Ainsworth's Dictionary:




                Bombax - interj contemnentis vel negligentis Pooh! Pooh! Plaut.




                A New and Copious Lexicon of the Latin Language:




                Bombax! - an interjection of contempt, poh! pish! Plaut.







                share|improve this answer














                From the Scholia Graeca in Comoedias Aristophanis, we find the following definition of βομβάξ:




                βομβάξ - παρεμβολοειδής ἐστι τοῦτο ἐπίρρημα καὶ σημαίνει διασυρμόν.
                βομβάζειν γὰρ δηλοῖ διασύρειν. βομβάζειν γὰρ δηλοῖ διασύρειν,
                τωθάζειν, σκώπτειν, καὶ χλευάζειν, λοιδορεῖν τε.




                Translation:




                βομβάξ - an interjection said in response to something, signifying
                disparagement or ridicule. For βομβάζειν is to disparage openly, mock, jeer,
                scoff at or revile.




                Here's some of the definitions of the words used:




                • διασύρειν - to disparage, ridicule (literally, to tear into pieces)

                • τωθάζειν - to mock, jeer at, flout

                • σκώπτειν - to mock, jeer, scoff at

                • χλευάζειν - to jest, scoff

                • λοιδορεῖν - to abuse, revile


                Furthermore, other dictionaries have recognized that bombax may be used to express contempt. The Lexicon of Forcellini, for example, has the following:




                BOMBAX! Interjectio est hominis laete, vel cum admiratione approbantis vel etiam negeligentis et contemnentis.




                Ainsworth's Dictionary:




                Bombax - interj contemnentis vel negligentis Pooh! Pooh! Plaut.




                A New and Copious Lexicon of the Latin Language:




                Bombax! - an interjection of contempt, poh! pish! Plaut.








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                edited Nov 12 at 1:14

























                answered Nov 11 at 18:35









                Expedito Bipes

                1,9081311




                1,9081311






















                    up vote
                    4
                    down vote













                    The passage in Plautus seems to be the one and only attestation for "bombax" in Latin. The dictionary definition "an exclamation of real or affected surprise" fits it very well.






                    share|improve this answer

















                    • 2




                      Though it does not include the contempt bit, I think it would be strange if it were wrongly present in that 18th century edition.
                      – Vincenzo Oliva
                      Nov 11 at 13:34

















                    up vote
                    4
                    down vote













                    The passage in Plautus seems to be the one and only attestation for "bombax" in Latin. The dictionary definition "an exclamation of real or affected surprise" fits it very well.






                    share|improve this answer

















                    • 2




                      Though it does not include the contempt bit, I think it would be strange if it were wrongly present in that 18th century edition.
                      – Vincenzo Oliva
                      Nov 11 at 13:34















                    up vote
                    4
                    down vote










                    up vote
                    4
                    down vote









                    The passage in Plautus seems to be the one and only attestation for "bombax" in Latin. The dictionary definition "an exclamation of real or affected surprise" fits it very well.






                    share|improve this answer












                    The passage in Plautus seems to be the one and only attestation for "bombax" in Latin. The dictionary definition "an exclamation of real or affected surprise" fits it very well.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered Nov 11 at 13:28









                    fdb

                    10.4k11127




                    10.4k11127








                    • 2




                      Though it does not include the contempt bit, I think it would be strange if it were wrongly present in that 18th century edition.
                      – Vincenzo Oliva
                      Nov 11 at 13:34
















                    • 2




                      Though it does not include the contempt bit, I think it would be strange if it were wrongly present in that 18th century edition.
                      – Vincenzo Oliva
                      Nov 11 at 13:34










                    2




                    2




                    Though it does not include the contempt bit, I think it would be strange if it were wrongly present in that 18th century edition.
                    – Vincenzo Oliva
                    Nov 11 at 13:34






                    Though it does not include the contempt bit, I think it would be strange if it were wrongly present in that 18th century edition.
                    – Vincenzo Oliva
                    Nov 11 at 13:34




















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