Nonage and dotage

[Tim Downie]

Not a crossword question, more of an etymological one.

Whilst struggling with a crossword last night I cme across the word "nonage"
meaning " legal infancy, minority; time of immaturity generally." from the
old French (literally non & age).

"Ah!" I thought, it's obviously the opposite of dotage which doubtless
derives from the french "d'haut age" meaning high or extreme age.
Unfortunately, Chambers dosn't agree. It gives ORIGIN: Cf Old Dutch doten
to be silly; French radoter to rave, is from the same root.

Does my theory hold any water? Is there a french phrase "d'haut age"?

Tim

[P & J Biddlecombe]

Post by Tim Downie
Not a crossword question, more of an etymological one.
Whilst struggling with a crossword last night I cme across the word "nonage"
meaning " legal infancy, minority; time of immaturity generally." from the
old French (literally non & age).
"Ah!" I thought, it's obviously the opposite of dotage which doubtless
derives from the french "d'haut age" meaning high or extreme age.
Unfortunately, Chambers dosn't agree. It gives ORIGIN: Cf Old Dutch doten
to be silly; French radoter to rave, is from the same root.
Does my theory hold any water? Is there a french phrase "d'haut age"?

Google pointed at Fr pages says:

Your search - "d'haut age" - did not match any documents.

Post by Tim Downie
Tim

[Tim Downie]

Post by P & J Biddlecombe
Your search - "d'haut age" - did not match any documents.

Yeah, I know. I tried that just after I posted. Shame really. It was such
a neat theory.

Tim