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Origin and history of xyster

xyster(n.)

"surgical instrument for scraping bones," 1680s, from Greek xyster "a graving tool," from xyein "to scrape." Beekes compare Sanskrit ksnauti "to grind, whet, rub," Lithuanian skusti "to shave, plane." Perhaps from a PIE *kes- "to scrape."

also from 1680s

Entries linking to xyster

snug(adj.)

1590s, "compact, trim" (of a ship), especially "protected from the weather," perhaps from a Scandinavian source such as Old Norse snoggr "short-haired," Old Swedish snygg, Old Danish snøg "neat, tidy." This is perhaps ultimately from PIE *kes- (1) "to scratch" (see xyster).

The sense of "in a state of ease or comfort" is recorded by 1620s. The meaning "fit closely" is by 1838. Expression snug as a bug in a rug is attested by 1769; earlier was snug as a bee in a box (1706). A 1732 collection of proverbs and adages has, among many others, As brisk as a bee in a tar-pot; As brisk as a body-louse; As demure as an old whore at a christning; As pert as a frog upon a washing-block.["Gnomologia," Thomas Fuller, M.D.]

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    "arranger of sexual liaisons, one who caters for the lusts of others," 1520s, "procurer, pimp," from Middle English Pandare (late 14c.), used by Chaucer ("Troylus and Cryseyde"), who borrowed it from Boccaccio (who had it in Italian form Pandaro in "Filostrato") as name of the pr
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