“Hearts of game” — what game?
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
What could be meant by game in the following?
"He could tell of a wicked widow ... who smiled so sweetly upon the smugglers when they sold her silks and laces, cheap as tape and gingham. She called them gallant fellows, hearts of game, and bade them bring her more."
From Herman Melville's White Jacket CHAPTER LXXV (1850)
also previous
Source: Herman Melville - Mardi, and A Voyage Thither (1849)
meaning expressions
edited Dec 14 at 22:55
choster
36.2k1482133
asked Dec 13 at 16:29
A.Berg
834
|
show 2 more comments
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
What could be meant by game in the following?
"He could tell of a wicked widow ... who smiled so sweetly upon the smugglers when they sold her silks and laces, cheap as tape and gingham. She called them gallant fellows, hearts of game, and bade them bring her more."
From Herman Melville's White Jacket CHAPTER LXXV (1850)
also previous
Source: Herman Melville - Mardi, and A Voyage Thither (1849)
meaning expressions
edited Dec 14 at 22:55
choster
36.2k1482133
asked Dec 13 at 16:29
A.Berg
834
2
Can you provide more context? Where did you see this?
– Robusto
Dec 13 at 16:51
2
According to Google Books, this is a quote from: Herman Melville, "White Jacket; or, The World in a Man-of-War." London 1850.
– njuffa
Dec 13 at 16:57
1
What @Robusto said. This use of game = plucky is pretty dated today, but some people still use the somewhat later nuance as in I'm game = I'm up for it / willing [to participate in something]. I see Google Books has over 100 instances of his game heart with this sense - it's just that we wouldn't normally expect that to be expressed as his heart of game.
– FumbleFingers
Dec 13 at 18:38
1
...perhaps Melville was influenced by the equally dated his heart of oak, which has over 1800 written instances in GB.
– FumbleFingers
Dec 13 at 18:40
3
@FumbleFingers Your right as by looking at other works by Melville we see him use the term as meaning stout of heart here ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/m/melville/herman/mardi/complete.html I suggest you raise the answer
– KJO
Dec 13 at 20:39
|
show 2 more comments
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
What could be meant by game in the following?
"He could tell of a wicked widow ... who smiled so sweetly upon the smugglers when they sold her silks and laces, cheap as tape and gingham. She called them gallant fellows, hearts of game, and bade them bring her more."
From Herman Melville's White Jacket CHAPTER LXXV (1850)
also previous
Source: Herman Melville - Mardi, and A Voyage Thither (1849)
meaning expressions
edited Dec 14 at 22:55
choster
36.2k1482133
asked Dec 13 at 16:29
A.Berg
834
What could be meant by game in the following?
"He could tell of a wicked widow ... who smiled so sweetly upon the smugglers when they sold her silks and laces, cheap as tape and gingham. She called them gallant fellows, hearts of game, and bade them bring her more."
From Herman Melville's White Jacket CHAPTER LXXV (1850)
also previous
Source: Herman Melville - Mardi, and A Voyage Thither (1849)
meaning expressions
meaning expressions
edited Dec 14 at 22:55
choster
36.2k1482133
asked Dec 13 at 16:29
A.Berg
834
edited Dec 14 at 22:55
choster
36.2k1482133
asked Dec 13 at 16:29
A.Berg
834
edited Dec 14 at 22:55
choster
36.2k1482133
edited Dec 14 at 22:55
choster
36.2k1482133
edited Dec 14 at 22:55
choster
36.2k1482133
36.2k1482133
asked Dec 13 at 16:29
A.Berg
834
asked Dec 13 at 16:29
A.Berg
834
asked Dec 13 at 16:29
A.Berg
834
834
2
Can you provide more context? Where did you see this?
– Robusto
Dec 13 at 16:51
2
According to Google Books, this is a quote from: Herman Melville, "White Jacket; or, The World in a Man-of-War." London 1850.
– njuffa
Dec 13 at 16:57
1
What @Robusto said. This use of game = plucky is pretty dated today, but some people still use the somewhat later nuance as in I'm game = I'm up for it / willing [to participate in something]. I see Google Books has over 100 instances of his game heart with this sense - it's just that we wouldn't normally expect that to be expressed as his heart of game.
– FumbleFingers
Dec 13 at 18:38
1
...perhaps Melville was influenced by the equally dated his heart of oak, which has over 1800 written instances in GB.
– FumbleFingers
Dec 13 at 18:40
3
@FumbleFingers Your right as by looking at other works by Melville we see him use the term as meaning stout of heart here ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/m/melville/herman/mardi/complete.html I suggest you raise the answer
– KJO
Dec 13 at 20:39
|
show 2 more comments
2
Can you provide more context? Where did you see this?
– Robusto
Dec 13 at 16:51
2
According to Google Books, this is a quote from: Herman Melville, "White Jacket; or, The World in a Man-of-War." London 1850.
– njuffa
Dec 13 at 16:57
1
What @Robusto said. This use of game = plucky is pretty dated today, but some people still use the somewhat later nuance as in I'm game = I'm up for it / willing [to participate in something]. I see Google Books has over 100 instances of his game heart with this sense - it's just that we wouldn't normally expect that to be expressed as his heart of game.
– FumbleFingers
Dec 13 at 18:38
1
...perhaps Melville was influenced by the equally dated his heart of oak, which has over 1800 written instances in GB.
– FumbleFingers
Dec 13 at 18:40
3
@FumbleFingers Your right as by looking at other works by Melville we see him use the term as meaning stout of heart here ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/m/melville/herman/mardi/complete.html I suggest you raise the answer
– KJO
Dec 13 at 20:39
2
2
Can you provide more context? Where did you see this?
– Robusto
Dec 13 at 16:51
Can you provide more context? Where did you see this?
– Robusto
Dec 13 at 16:51
2
2
According to Google Books, this is a quote from: Herman Melville, "White Jacket; or, The World in a Man-of-War." London 1850.
– njuffa
Dec 13 at 16:57
According to Google Books, this is a quote from: Herman Melville, "White Jacket; or, The World in a Man-of-War." London 1850.
– njuffa
Dec 13 at 16:57
1
1
What @Robusto said. This use of game = plucky is pretty dated today, but some people still use the somewhat later nuance as in I'm game = I'm up for it / willing [to participate in something]. I see Google Books has over 100 instances of his game heart with this sense - it's just that we wouldn't normally expect that to be expressed as his heart of game.
– FumbleFingers
Dec 13 at 18:38
What @Robusto said. This use of game = plucky is pretty dated today, but some people still use the somewhat later nuance as in I'm game = I'm up for it / willing [to participate in something]. I see Google Books has over 100 instances of his game heart with this sense - it's just that we wouldn't normally expect that to be expressed as his heart of game.
– FumbleFingers
Dec 13 at 18:38
1
1
...perhaps Melville was influenced by the equally dated his heart of oak, which has over 1800 written instances in GB.
– FumbleFingers
Dec 13 at 18:40
...perhaps Melville was influenced by the equally dated his heart of oak, which has over 1800 written instances in GB.
– FumbleFingers
Dec 13 at 18:40
3
3
@FumbleFingers Your right as by looking at other works by Melville we see him use the term as meaning stout of heart here ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/m/melville/herman/mardi/complete.html I suggest you raise the answer
– KJO
Dec 13 at 20:39
@FumbleFingers Your right as by looking at other works by Melville we see him use the term as meaning stout of heart here ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/m/melville/herman/mardi/complete.html I suggest you raise the answer
– KJO
Dec 13 at 20:39
|
show 2 more comments
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
up vote
5
down vote
Melville's use of game = plucky is pretty dated today, but some people still use the word with a somewhat different (and later) nuance as in I'm game = I'm up for it / willing [to participate in something].
Google Books has over 100 instances of his game heart with the stout / resolute / brave sense.
Melville was probably influenced by the equally dated his heart of oak (over 1800 written instances in Google Books), which has essentially the same meaning.
There's no obvious reason1 why the specific combinations heart of oak and game heart should have become idiomatically established in preference to oak heart and heart of game. Melville certainly wasn't breaking any rules of grammar by choosing the latter - it's just that it was "less idiomatic" even back in 1849 when he was writing Mardi, and A Voyage Thither.
Etymologically speaking, adjectival game here derives from the noun game meaning fun, sport, amusement. It's only "indirectly" related to the derivative game = animals hunted for sport, though of course Melville may have intended his readers to make that connection.
1 But I would point out that elsewhere in the book, Melville uses heart of grace. I don't know how to articulate exactly what "grammatical rule" prevents us using the form grace heart, but that one is so jarring to me I feel sure there must be one.
answered Dec 14 at 14:00
FumbleFingers
119k32242422
Melvill had an unusual interest in the form of the heart especially its labyrinths, the reference to the roman general alludes to game as in "Christians" (and others, see blues and supposed genocide of 30,000 greens) thus synonymous with modern hunting
– KJO
Dec 14 at 15:48
@KJO: Indeed. I was actually quite surprised to find 64 instances of the word heart in the relatively short text you linked to. Even when I restricted it to heart of, I still had 20 separate occurrences to look at!
– FumbleFingers
Dec 14 at 15:56
In personal affairs of the heart he supposedly moved next door to his bosom buddy !
– KJO
Dec 14 at 15:57
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
Here there is a metaphorical transfer of 'hearts of any card game' to nominate particular people.
According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary:
HEARTS (plural) : the suit comprising cards marked with hearts.
For example, the five of hearts.
answered Dec 13 at 16:43
user307254
1,581110
4
This seems a strange and specific response to a question that provides no clues in that direction.
– Robusto
Dec 13 at 16:52
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
Since I am looking for a German equivalent, may I suggest (as a compromise between @KJO and @user307254) a 'Jack of Hearts' or 'golden boy' which here seems to come close to the context.
answered Dec 13 at 17:32
A.Berg
834
Melvill clearly meant stouthearted or deerhearted not to be confused with beerdome.nl/nl/alefarm-deer-heart.html
– KJO
Dec 13 at 21:15
add a comment |
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
5
down vote
Melville's use of game = plucky is pretty dated today, but some people still use the word with a somewhat different (and later) nuance as in I'm game = I'm up for it / willing [to participate in something].
Google Books has over 100 instances of his game heart with the stout / resolute / brave sense.
Melville was probably influenced by the equally dated his heart of oak (over 1800 written instances in Google Books), which has essentially the same meaning.
There's no obvious reason1 why the specific combinations heart of oak and game heart should have become idiomatically established in preference to oak heart and heart of game. Melville certainly wasn't breaking any rules of grammar by choosing the latter - it's just that it was "less idiomatic" even back in 1849 when he was writing Mardi, and A Voyage Thither.
Etymologically speaking, adjectival game here derives from the noun game meaning fun, sport, amusement. It's only "indirectly" related to the derivative game = animals hunted for sport, though of course Melville may have intended his readers to make that connection.
1 But I would point out that elsewhere in the book, Melville uses heart of grace. I don't know how to articulate exactly what "grammatical rule" prevents us using the form grace heart, but that one is so jarring to me I feel sure there must be one.
answered Dec 14 at 14:00
FumbleFingers
119k32242422
Melvill had an unusual interest in the form of the heart especially its labyrinths, the reference to the roman general alludes to game as in "Christians" (and others, see blues and supposed genocide of 30,000 greens) thus synonymous with modern hunting
– KJO
Dec 14 at 15:48
@KJO: Indeed. I was actually quite surprised to find 64 instances of the word heart in the relatively short text you linked to. Even when I restricted it to heart of, I still had 20 separate occurrences to look at!
– FumbleFingers
Dec 14 at 15:56
In personal affairs of the heart he supposedly moved next door to his bosom buddy !
– KJO
Dec 14 at 15:57
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
Melville's use of game = plucky is pretty dated today, but some people still use the word with a somewhat different (and later) nuance as in I'm game = I'm up for it / willing [to participate in something].
Google Books has over 100 instances of his game heart with the stout / resolute / brave sense.
Melville was probably influenced by the equally dated his heart of oak (over 1800 written instances in Google Books), which has essentially the same meaning.
There's no obvious reason1 why the specific combinations heart of oak and game heart should have become idiomatically established in preference to oak heart and heart of game. Melville certainly wasn't breaking any rules of grammar by choosing the latter - it's just that it was "less idiomatic" even back in 1849 when he was writing Mardi, and A Voyage Thither.
Etymologically speaking, adjectival game here derives from the noun game meaning fun, sport, amusement. It's only "indirectly" related to the derivative game = animals hunted for sport, though of course Melville may have intended his readers to make that connection.
1 But I would point out that elsewhere in the book, Melville uses heart of grace. I don't know how to articulate exactly what "grammatical rule" prevents us using the form grace heart, but that one is so jarring to me I feel sure there must be one.
answered Dec 14 at 14:00
FumbleFingers
119k32242422
Melvill had an unusual interest in the form of the heart especially its labyrinths, the reference to the roman general alludes to game as in "Christians" (and others, see blues and supposed genocide of 30,000 greens) thus synonymous with modern hunting
– KJO
Dec 14 at 15:48
@KJO: Indeed. I was actually quite surprised to find 64 instances of the word heart in the relatively short text you linked to. Even when I restricted it to heart of, I still had 20 separate occurrences to look at!
– FumbleFingers
Dec 14 at 15:56
In personal affairs of the heart he supposedly moved next door to his bosom buddy !
– KJO
Dec 14 at 15:57
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
up vote
5
down vote
Melville's use of game = plucky is pretty dated today, but some people still use the word with a somewhat different (and later) nuance as in I'm game = I'm up for it / willing [to participate in something].
Google Books has over 100 instances of his game heart with the stout / resolute / brave sense.
Melville was probably influenced by the equally dated his heart of oak (over 1800 written instances in Google Books), which has essentially the same meaning.
There's no obvious reason1 why the specific combinations heart of oak and game heart should have become idiomatically established in preference to oak heart and heart of game. Melville certainly wasn't breaking any rules of grammar by choosing the latter - it's just that it was "less idiomatic" even back in 1849 when he was writing Mardi, and A Voyage Thither.
Etymologically speaking, adjectival game here derives from the noun game meaning fun, sport, amusement. It's only "indirectly" related to the derivative game = animals hunted for sport, though of course Melville may have intended his readers to make that connection.
1 But I would point out that elsewhere in the book, Melville uses heart of grace. I don't know how to articulate exactly what "grammatical rule" prevents us using the form grace heart, but that one is so jarring to me I feel sure there must be one.
answered Dec 14 at 14:00
FumbleFingers
119k32242422
Melville's use of game = plucky is pretty dated today, but some people still use the word with a somewhat different (and later) nuance as in I'm game = I'm up for it / willing [to participate in something].
Google Books has over 100 instances of his game heart with the stout / resolute / brave sense.
Melville was probably influenced by the equally dated his heart of oak (over 1800 written instances in Google Books), which has essentially the same meaning.
There's no obvious reason1 why the specific combinations heart of oak and game heart should have become idiomatically established in preference to oak heart and heart of game. Melville certainly wasn't breaking any rules of grammar by choosing the latter - it's just that it was "less idiomatic" even back in 1849 when he was writing Mardi, and A Voyage Thither.
Etymologically speaking, adjectival game here derives from the noun game meaning fun, sport, amusement. It's only "indirectly" related to the derivative game = animals hunted for sport, though of course Melville may have intended his readers to make that connection.
1 But I would point out that elsewhere in the book, Melville uses heart of grace. I don't know how to articulate exactly what "grammatical rule" prevents us using the form grace heart, but that one is so jarring to me I feel sure there must be one.
answered Dec 14 at 14:00
FumbleFingers
119k32242422
edited Dec 14 at 14:08
answered Dec 14 at 14:00
FumbleFingers
119k32242422
answered Dec 14 at 14:00
FumbleFingers
119k32242422
answered Dec 14 at 14:00
FumbleFingers
119k32242422
119k32242422
Melvill had an unusual interest in the form of the heart especially its labyrinths, the reference to the roman general alludes to game as in "Christians" (and others, see blues and supposed genocide of 30,000 greens) thus synonymous with modern hunting
– KJO
Dec 14 at 15:48
@KJO: Indeed. I was actually quite surprised to find 64 instances of the word heart in the relatively short text you linked to. Even when I restricted it to heart of, I still had 20 separate occurrences to look at!
– FumbleFingers
Dec 14 at 15:56
In personal affairs of the heart he supposedly moved next door to his bosom buddy !
– KJO
Dec 14 at 15:57
add a comment |
Melvill had an unusual interest in the form of the heart especially its labyrinths, the reference to the roman general alludes to game as in "Christians" (and others, see blues and supposed genocide of 30,000 greens) thus synonymous with modern hunting
– KJO
Dec 14 at 15:48
@KJO: Indeed. I was actually quite surprised to find 64 instances of the word heart in the relatively short text you linked to. Even when I restricted it to heart of, I still had 20 separate occurrences to look at!
– FumbleFingers
Dec 14 at 15:56
In personal affairs of the heart he supposedly moved next door to his bosom buddy !
– KJO
Dec 14 at 15:57
Melvill had an unusual interest in the form of the heart especially its labyrinths, the reference to the roman general alludes to game as in "Christians" (and others, see blues and supposed genocide of 30,000 greens) thus synonymous with modern hunting
– KJO
Dec 14 at 15:48
Melvill had an unusual interest in the form of the heart especially its labyrinths, the reference to the roman general alludes to game as in "Christians" (and others, see blues and supposed genocide of 30,000 greens) thus synonymous with modern hunting
– KJO
Dec 14 at 15:48
@KJO: Indeed. I was actually quite surprised to find 64 instances of the word heart in the relatively short text you linked to. Even when I restricted it to heart of, I still had 20 separate occurrences to look at!
– FumbleFingers
Dec 14 at 15:56
@KJO: Indeed. I was actually quite surprised to find 64 instances of the word heart in the relatively short text you linked to. Even when I restricted it to heart of, I still had 20 separate occurrences to look at!
– FumbleFingers
Dec 14 at 15:56
In personal affairs of the heart he supposedly moved next door to his bosom buddy !
– KJO
Dec 14 at 15:57
In personal affairs of the heart he supposedly moved next door to his bosom buddy !
– KJO
Dec 14 at 15:57
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
Here there is a metaphorical transfer of 'hearts of any card game' to nominate particular people.
According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary:
HEARTS (plural) : the suit comprising cards marked with hearts.
For example, the five of hearts.
answered Dec 13 at 16:43
user307254
1,581110
4
This seems a strange and specific response to a question that provides no clues in that direction.
– Robusto
Dec 13 at 16:52
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
Here there is a metaphorical transfer of 'hearts of any card game' to nominate particular people.
According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary:
HEARTS (plural) : the suit comprising cards marked with hearts.
For example, the five of hearts.
answered Dec 13 at 16:43
user307254
1,581110
4
This seems a strange and specific response to a question that provides no clues in that direction.
– Robusto
Dec 13 at 16:52
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
Here there is a metaphorical transfer of 'hearts of any card game' to nominate particular people.
According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary:
HEARTS (plural) : the suit comprising cards marked with hearts.
For example, the five of hearts.
answered Dec 13 at 16:43
user307254
1,581110
Here there is a metaphorical transfer of 'hearts of any card game' to nominate particular people.
According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary:
HEARTS (plural) : the suit comprising cards marked with hearts.
For example, the five of hearts.
answered Dec 13 at 16:43
user307254
1,581110
answered Dec 13 at 16:43
user307254
1,581110
answered Dec 13 at 16:43
user307254
1,581110
answered Dec 13 at 16:43
user307254
1,581110
1,581110
4
This seems a strange and specific response to a question that provides no clues in that direction.
– Robusto
Dec 13 at 16:52
add a comment |
4
This seems a strange and specific response to a question that provides no clues in that direction.
– Robusto
Dec 13 at 16:52
4
4
This seems a strange and specific response to a question that provides no clues in that direction.
– Robusto
Dec 13 at 16:52
This seems a strange and specific response to a question that provides no clues in that direction.
– Robusto
Dec 13 at 16:52
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
Since I am looking for a German equivalent, may I suggest (as a compromise between @KJO and @user307254) a 'Jack of Hearts' or 'golden boy' which here seems to come close to the context.
answered Dec 13 at 17:32
A.Berg
834
Melvill clearly meant stouthearted or deerhearted not to be confused with beerdome.nl/nl/alefarm-deer-heart.html
– KJO
Dec 13 at 21:15
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
Since I am looking for a German equivalent, may I suggest (as a compromise between @KJO and @user307254) a 'Jack of Hearts' or 'golden boy' which here seems to come close to the context.
answered Dec 13 at 17:32
A.Berg
834
Melvill clearly meant stouthearted or deerhearted not to be confused with beerdome.nl/nl/alefarm-deer-heart.html
– KJO
Dec 13 at 21:15
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
Since I am looking for a German equivalent, may I suggest (as a compromise between @KJO and @user307254) a 'Jack of Hearts' or 'golden boy' which here seems to come close to the context.
answered Dec 13 at 17:32
A.Berg
834
Since I am looking for a German equivalent, may I suggest (as a compromise between @KJO and @user307254) a 'Jack of Hearts' or 'golden boy' which here seems to come close to the context.
answered Dec 13 at 17:32
A.Berg
834
answered Dec 13 at 17:32
A.Berg
834
answered Dec 13 at 17:32
A.Berg
834
answered Dec 13 at 17:32
A.Berg
834
834
Melvill clearly meant stouthearted or deerhearted not to be confused with beerdome.nl/nl/alefarm-deer-heart.html
– KJO
Dec 13 at 21:15
add a comment |
Melvill clearly meant stouthearted or deerhearted not to be confused with beerdome.nl/nl/alefarm-deer-heart.html
– KJO
Dec 13 at 21:15
Melvill clearly meant stouthearted or deerhearted not to be confused with beerdome.nl/nl/alefarm-deer-heart.html
– KJO
Dec 13 at 21:15
Melvill clearly meant stouthearted or deerhearted not to be confused with beerdome.nl/nl/alefarm-deer-heart.html
– KJO
Dec 13 at 21:15
add a comment |
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2
Can you provide more context? Where did you see this?
– Robusto
Dec 13 at 16:51
2
According to Google Books, this is a quote from: Herman Melville, "White Jacket; or, The World in a Man-of-War." London 1850.
– njuffa
Dec 13 at 16:57
1
What @Robusto said. This use of game = plucky is pretty dated today, but some people still use the somewhat later nuance as in I'm game = I'm up for it / willing [to participate in something]. I see Google Books has over 100 instances of his game heart with this sense - it's just that we wouldn't normally expect that to be expressed as his heart of game.
– FumbleFingers
Dec 13 at 18:38
1
...perhaps Melville was influenced by the equally dated his heart of oak, which has over 1800 written instances in GB.
– FumbleFingers
Dec 13 at 18:40
3
@FumbleFingers Your right as by looking at other works by Melville we see him use the term as meaning stout of heart here ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/m/melville/herman/mardi/complete.html I suggest you raise the answer
– KJO
Dec 13 at 20:39