Git from Hell

[RAS]

I heard this expressiion many times in my youth. Frequently directed at me. Not a term of endearment I assure you. I often felt those who uttererd it did not know really what it ment. It did not mean lovely child. I am talking about the 1940/50 era.

[Quizmonster]

I'm not sure whether you are even asking this, but 'git' is a variant of 'get' - both derived from the word 'beget' meaning to cause to give birth to. It referred specifically to animals or illegitimate human offspring...ie the 7-letter word beginning 'bas' and ending 'tard'.
Those who used it of you may well, as you say, not have been aware of its true meaning, of course!

[n00dles]

I remember at school (yes I do!) of children name calling to others, often shouting out Git !! It was believed by us that its correct usage was to mean a pregnant camel. I think it just sounded offensive, and was short and to the point - not because the other person looked like a camel !

[Big Al1st]

Hi Quizmonster, Don't normally take issue with your very good answers but I always thought git came from illiGITimate which still matches with your meaning,

Rgds Al

[Quizmonster]

Sorry, Al, but it seems your explanation of the origin is just another of those 'likely-sounding' bits of folk etymology....etymythology, as such descriptions have been called.
According to The Oxford English Dictionary - the 'bible' in such matters - 'git' is first recorded in the 1940s and is a variant of the noun 'get'. That has meant exactly what I said it meant - 'offspring' - in my opening response above since the early 14th century. It has been used contemptuously as the b-word since the 16th century.
Apart from anything else, if it did come from 'illegitimate', wouldn't we have to pronounce it 'jit'? Sorry, mate!

[gammaray]

Perhaps it's a combination of both explanations....in which case it means you are an Evil little b*st*rd from hell. I'm sure you're not though!

[Big Al1st]

Hi Quizmonster, Thanks for that. I honestly thought I was right but now agree with you. Put that one down to experience, however :

I'm watching you! I'll get my own back lol

Take care Al

[Big Al1st]

Hey Gamma Less of the "evil little" please. Rest is OK though! Al