ETYMOLOGICAL NOTES

1. *Gnatch.*—"The covetous man dares not gnatch" (Hammond's *Catechism*). From this, and the examples in Halliwell's *Dictionary*, the sense seems to be "to move." Is it related to "gnake?" 2. *Pert.*—I lately met with an instance of the use of this word in the etymological sense *peritus*: "I beant peart at making button-holes," said a needlewoman. 3. *Rococo.*—A far-fetched etymology suggests itself. A wealthy noble from the north might express his admiration for the luxuries of Paris by the Russian word [Cyrillic: roskosha], or Polish *roskosz*. A Frenchman, catching the sound, might apply…