whose | Search Online Etymology Dictionary

whose (pron.)

genitive of who; from Old English hwæs, genitive of hwa "who," from PIE root *kwo-, stem of relative and interrogative pronouns.

rantallion (n.)

"One whose scrotum is so relaxed as to be longer than his penis, i. e. whose shot pouch is longer than the barrel of his piece." ["Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue," Grose, 1785]

cabinet-maker (n.)

"one whose occupation is the making of household furniture," 1680s, from cabinet + maker.

copyist (n.)

"one whose occupation is to transcribe documents," 1690s, from copy (n.) + -ist. Earlier was copist (1580s).

rat-catcher (n.)

"one whose business is the catching of rats, a ratter," 1590s, from rat (n.) + catcher.

optometrist (n.)

"one whose profession is to measure the range and power of vision," 1903; see optometry + -ist.

showgirl (n.)

"actress whose role is decorative rather than histrionic" [OED], 1836, from show (v.) + girl.

bookbinder (n.)

"one whose occupation is the binding of books," late 14c, from book (n.) + binder. Related: Bookbindery.

dressmaker (n.)

also dress-maker, "one whose occupation is the making of articles of feminine attire," 1803, from dress (n.) + maker.

dyer (n.)

"one whose occupation is to dye cloths, skins, etc.," mid-14c. (mid-13c. as a surname), agent noun from dye (v.).

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