Comments on: Kilter http://www.word-detective.com/2010/11/kilter/ Semper Ubi Sub Ubi Wed, 20 Mar 2013 19:32:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Heller High Water Mark | Alden Kahn http://www.word-detective.com/2010/11/kilter/comment-page-1/#comment-56947 Heller High Water Mark | Alden Kahn Fri, 08 Mar 2013 16:25:29 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=4174#comment-56947 [...] stories. Most of the book’s chapters begin as individual character studies of the various off-kilter players that transform into small vignettes that don’t come into full focus until later. [...] [...] stories. Most of the book’s chapters begin as individual character studies of the various off-kilter players that transform into small vignettes that don’t come into full focus until later. [...]

]]> By: Boopsie Bopper http://www.word-detective.com/2010/11/kilter/comment-page-1/#comment-28396 Boopsie Bopper Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:06:14 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=4174#comment-28396 I was thinking of 'kilter' (and also of 'helter-skelter') and remembered an intro biology instructor at Rice U. Mr. Davies who once illustrated a point by saying something about being 'couth, kempt, and sheveled.' That sent my mind wandering for the rest of the lecture, and indeed has stuck with me for fifty years! (He was pointing out that we currently only use the words in the negative 'uncouth, unkempt, and disheveled'.) --Carol I was thinking of ‘kilter’ (and also of ‘helter-skelter’)
and remembered an intro biology instructor at Rice U. Mr. Davies who once illustrated a point by saying something about being ‘couth, kempt, and sheveled.’ That sent my mind wandering for the rest of the lecture, and indeed has stuck with me for fifty years! (He was pointing out that we currently only use the words in the negative ‘uncouth, unkempt, and disheveled’.)
–Carol

]]> By: Brooke http://www.word-detective.com/2010/11/kilter/comment-page-1/#comment-23288 Brooke Fri, 16 Sep 2011 04:54:37 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=4174#comment-23288 I found this site by looking to see if my use of the word was appropriate. I've always liked saying even kiltered which seems a bit redundant now. But I like it. I guess with all the outs and offs it seems necessary.Thank you! I found this site by looking to see if my use of the word was appropriate. I’ve always liked saying even kiltered which seems a bit redundant now. But I like it. I guess with all the outs and offs it seems necessary.Thank you!

]]> By: Joyce Melton http://www.word-detective.com/2010/11/kilter/comment-page-1/#comment-4924 Joyce Melton Thu, 10 Jun 2010 03:40:00 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=4174#comment-4924 Could kilter be related to a German or Dutch word "keeler" or maybe "kieler" meaning something like "square"? There's a saying in my family about one of my great-grandfathers that he was a "keeler-headed Dutchman" meaning a stubborn German. Elsewhere, I've heard "square-headed Dutchman" or "square-headed German" used the same way, or even just "square-head" to mean someone obstinate. In German, "Kieler" means someone or something from the port city of Kiel. Could it have acquired a meaning of "shipshape" or "squared away?" Or are Kielers (Kieleren?) in Germany reputed to be obstinate? Just a thought. Could kilter be related to a German or Dutch word “keeler” or maybe “kieler” meaning something like “square”? There’s a saying in my family about one of my great-grandfathers that he was a “keeler-headed Dutchman” meaning a stubborn German. Elsewhere, I’ve heard “square-headed Dutchman” or “square-headed German” used the same way, or even just “square-head” to mean someone obstinate.

In German, “Kieler” means someone or something from the port city of Kiel. Could it have acquired a meaning of “shipshape” or “squared away?” Or are Kielers (Kieleren?) in Germany reputed to be obstinate?

Just a thought.

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