1

Strangely, Etymonline.com doesn't give an etymology.

I looked up Dictionary.com, and came up with:

1565–75; < Middle French hautbois, equivalent to haut high ( see haughty) + bois wood ( see bush1 )

So, how did this word "high wood" come to mean oboe?

Improve this question

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
3

Explained on the oboe entry

[C18: via Italian oboe, phonetic approximation to French haut bois, literally: high wood (referring to its pitch)]

and etymonline

oboe 1724, from It. oboe, from M.Fr. hautbois (itself borrowed in English 16c. as hautboy), from haut "high, loud, high-pitched" + bois "wood" (see bush). So called because it had the highest register among woodwind instruments.

Improve this answer
1
  • 2
    What @JoseK has not spelled out is that the French "bois", which is now pronounced "bwa", went through stages "bwi" and "bwe". "Haut" is still pronounced "o". So when "haut bois" was borrowed into Italian it was presumably "o bwe".
    – Colin Fine
    Jul 5, 2011 at 13:36

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.