Smithereens originate from?
I was talking to my daughter and said "smashed to smithereens" and got wondering where it originated from........
2006-08-11 09:16:13 · 6 answers · asked by Melc 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
According to http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/smithereens
and Webster's online dictionary, smithereens is an Irish word meaning small fragments.
Etymology: perhaps from Irish smidiríní
From Irish Gaelic smidirn, diminutive of smiodar, small fragment
2006-08-11 09:21:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
smith÷er÷eens (smÃÂTH'ÃT-rÃ"nz') pronunciation
pl.n. Informal.
Fragments or splintered pieces; bits: The fragile dish broke into smithereens.
[From Irish Gaelic smidirën, diminutive of smiodar, small fragment.]
The American Heritageî Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright é 2003 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
2006-08-11 16:24:19 · answer #2 · answered by Kirk M 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It came over with the Irish.
It is derived from the Gaelic words smidirn, diminutive of smiodar, small fragment
Smidgin came from the same root.
2006-08-11 16:24:57 · answer #3 · answered by Tim B 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Here ya go
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=smithereens&searchmode=none
2006-08-11 17:20:52 · answer #4 · answered by Ironhand 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They already gave the answers. If you watched Harry Potter or read it, I think they used the word.
2006-08-12 07:28:28 · answer #5 · answered by klay 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some one call smith dropped bone china plates broken in to bits
2006-08-12 09:34:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋