E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Carpenter
is from the Low Latin carpentarius, a maker of carpenta (two-wheeled carts and carriages). The carpentum was used for ladies; the carpentum funebre or carpentum pompatcum was a hearse. There was also a carpentum (cart) for agricultural purposes. There is no Latin word for our “carpenter”; the phrase faber lignarius is used by Cicero. Our forefathers called a carpenter a “smith” or a “wood-smith.” (French, charpentier.)
cum was a hearse. There was also a carpentum (cart) for agricultural purposes. There is no Latin word for our “carpenter”; the phrase faber lignarius is used by Cicero. Our forefathers called a carpenter a “smith” or a “wood-smith.” (French, charpentier.)
