English Vocabulary

sorrow or worry

Freddie

User since 2009
Posts: 49

25 July 2009

Some days ago an aquaintance of mine wrote an e-letter:

With great sorrow and deep regret I and my wife send our deepest condolences for the loss of X.

In German we know: "Sorge". But this probably means worry, and is more like "to be anxious about".
Whereas "sorrow" which ressembles our word Sorge as much, means a kind of sadness or grief.
What's your idea to that subject and how does your language makes differences in such cases?

10 comments

AhQ ['a: kiu]
User since 2006
Posts: 2715
25 July 2009

I wonder, Holy Man, whether that two words aren't coming from a related origin.

My Webster's gives "sorg" in Old English as origin of sorrow, akin to "sraga" in Old Slavik, meaning sickness.

In the German Koebler etymological database, it's reading that the verb "sorgen" would come from Old German "sroen" meaning to become sour (sauer werden).

Let's get a bit imaginative:
At a loss of a beloved, people across the Channel are getting sorrowful, sad; they feel glum and leave it at that.
Whereas in the same circumstances people across the Rhine get sour, they worry about something they don't accept and think of taking their revenge on the fate.
It's a matter of temper.

From now on at funerals of a friend I'll serve up Sauerkraut. (lol)
[CW]
I wonder, Holy Man, whether that two words aren't coming from a related origin. My Webster's gives "sorg" in Old English as origin of sorrow, akin to "sraga" in Old Slavik, meaning sickness. In the German Koebler etymological database, it's reading that the verb "sorgen" would come from Old German "sroen" meaning to become sour (sauer werden). Let's get a bit imaginative: At a loss of a beloved, people across the Channel are getting sorrowful, sad; they feel glum and leave it at that. Whereas in the same circumstances people across the Rhine get sour, they worry about something they don't accept and think of taking their revenge on the fate. It's a matter of temper. From now on at funerals of a friend I'll serve up Sauerkraut. (lol) [CW]
Fugendichter
User since 2008
Posts: 588
26 July 2009

Thank you Gee for these fine remarks, which I appreciate very much. And what about worry?
What is that Webster you are citing? And the German Koebler Database, I've never heard speaking of.

Hopefully you are far away from the necessity to serve Sauerkraut.
Thank you Gee for these fine remarks, which I appreciate very much. And what about worry? What is that Webster you are citing? And the German Koebler Database, I've never heard speaking of. Hopefully you are far away from the necessity to serve Sauerkraut.
Freddie
User since 2009
Posts: 49
26 July 2009

Thanks the ethymologist for that totally convincing explanation!
But tell me, Gee, how does your mother-language handle this item?
Thanks the ethymologist for that totally convincing explanation! But tell me, Gee, how does your mother-language handle this item?
AhQ ['a: kiu]
User since 2006
Posts: 2715
26 July 2009

Good evening, St. Johann.
My mother-language being originated from Romance I dunno whether it comprises a word related to the same root as Sorge/sorrow. In French "With great sorrow and deep regret" would be said something this way "Avec chagrin et désolation" or "Avec une profonde tristesse et une grande peine".
Without referring to German I cannot detect that idea of worrying in the English expression.

Good evening, Gwendo.
The Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary - the old one I have got has been released in 1979 - is reknown for etymology of words. The Koebler database is to be found on line. Enter the name on your search engine.

And, both of you, don't worry, be happy.
Good evening, St. Johann. My mother-language being originated from Romance I dunno whether it comprises a word related to the same root as Sorge/sorrow. In French "With great sorrow and deep regret" would be said something this way "Avec chagrin et désolation" or "Avec une profonde tristesse et une grande peine". Without referring to German I cannot detect that idea of worrying in the English expression. Good evening, Gwendo. The Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary - the old one I have got has been released in 1979 - is reknown for etymology of words. The Koebler database is to be found on line. Enter the name on your search engine. And, both of you, don't worry, be happy.
Spoiler
User since 2008
Posts: 499
14 Oct. 2009

You don't have to bring Sauerkraut to a German funeral, Gee - at least in those cases where the late person doesn't leave any decent heir. In those cases the bereaved get sour by themselves.

Sorry - stupid comment.
You don't have to bring Sauerkraut to a German funeral, Gee - at least in those cases where the late person doesn't leave any decent heir. In those cases the bereaved get sour by themselves. Sorry - stupid comment.
Spoiler
User since 2008
Posts: 499
14 Oct. 2009

Sorry - a decent 'legacy'.
Sorry - a decent 'legacy'.
AhQ ['a: kiu]
User since 2006
Posts: 2715
15 Oct. 2009

Copied, Snuggle. Should the heir have been left a decent legacy, or not, it doesn't matter. In both cases it's no use I bring Sauerkraut. You will care humorously to make it for the beraved.
Funny, funny!
Copied, Snuggle. Should the heir have been left a decent legacy, or not, it doesn't matter. In both cases it's no use I bring Sauerkraut. You will care humorously to make it for the beraved. Funny, funny!
Spoiler
User since 2008
Posts: 499
25 Oct. 2009

Oh, Gee is taking offence again and is trying to
retaliate. Are you taking everything personal?
Oh, Gee is taking offence again and is trying to retaliate. Are you taking everything personal?
Spoiler
User since 2008
Posts: 499
25 Oct. 2009

Oops. with Gee being in attendance we should
be a model and grammatically correct, otherwise
he runs the risk of emulating a bad example.

"Do you take everything personalLY!"

Tell me, Gee, what does is feel like to
have a vulnerable self-esteeem with posting
in an English forum as the only way out?

Do you have a girlfriend or a wife?
If no - no wonder. If yes - a piece of luck!
Is that personal or not? What do you think?

Hace a nice day and not too many fits ;-)
Oops. with Gee being in attendance we should be a model and grammatically correct, otherwise he runs the risk of emulating a bad example. "Do you take everything personalLY!" Tell me, Gee, what does is feel like to have a vulnerable self-esteeem with posting in an English forum as the only way out? Do you have a girlfriend or a wife? If no - no wonder. If yes - a piece of luck! Is that personal or not? What do you think? Hace a nice day and not too many fits ;-)

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