![]() In certain Indian languages, the term for puppets is derived from putul or pava (see India) and in Japanese it is ningyō. Other terms are used, often derived from words meaning “doll”: English derives “puppet” from the Old French poupette, diminutive of poupée, like Puppe in German and the Sicilian pupi (although in Italian there are also the burattini, glove puppets). This is the case in English (marionette), German ( Marionette), Spanish ( marioneta) and Italian ( marionetta) and several others, even if there are a number of important exceptions. Other languages too, when naturalizing the French word, have reserved it for the stringed or wired puppets operated from above. ![]() ![]() The word “marionette” is first recorded, in the sense in which it is used today, in a French translation of Girolamo Cardano’s De subtilitate (On Subtlety, c.1550-1560), designating a figure animated by human agency. It derives from the name of the Christian Virgin Mary, Marion in French, – the mother of Jesus, at first denoting objects bearing her image such as medals, as well as a musical instrument similar to the rebec. The word “marionette” used in English was a synonym for “puppet” but now refers specifically to a string puppet (also called a string marionette), whereas the French use of marionnette is still the generic label for a puppet. The word “puppet”, to refer to a doll moved by strings or wires (later applied to puppets in glove form), seems to have first appeared around the 1530s. poppet, one whose actions are manipulated by another), even pupil (orphan child, ward, to its later meaning of student) and pupil (centre of the eye so called from the tiny image one sees of oneself reflected in the eye of another). It is derived from the Latin pupa (girl, doll) or pupilla (little girl-doll), to Vulgar Latin puppa, to Old French poupette, diminutive of poupée (doll), and Middle English popet (doll, c.1300 cf. A bit like those Amazon reviews.The word “puppet” has old roots. A puppet master, once a neutral term for someone who literally uses puppets such as Punch and Judy, now also indicates an underhand – pardon the pun – manipulator of other humans in a world of disquieting schemes. In political affairs there are puppet leaders of puppet administrations (or puppet regimes) in puppet states, whose autonomy is limited because their actions are controlled or directed, like pawns, by other people. But when we look at puppet’s other metaphorical uses, we see it’s not such a leap. At first glance the term doesn’t fit well with the usual metaphors of deception, which evoke things that are dark, down, dirty and hidden – not playful and brightly coloured. The fun and friendly feel of sock puppets, perhaps helped by puppet‘s similarity to poppet and indeed puppy, seems awkwardly at odds with the sneaky behaviour it has come to mean. Puppet developed its metaphorical sense – someone controlled by a more powerful person or group – as far back as the 1540s, according to the Online Etymology Dictionary. Ultimately it comes from Latin pupa, meaning girl or doll. Puppet is a later form of the older word poppet, which we now use mainly as a term of endearment (and as a brand name for a kind of confectionery). “The easiest new concepts to grasp are perhaps so easy because they make use of words that are as physical and familiar as a shell, or a mouse, or a sock, or a familiar gesture.” The term conjures up pleasing images of colourful toys for children. This repurposing of sock puppet (also sock-puppet or sockpuppet) has obvious appeal.
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