“
It is Benjamin who will be hanged first if we do not knock him out shortly
,” wrote in his political Pamphlets Paul-Louis Courier in 1820. Such an assertion is hardly understandable if we do not recall that earlier was initially synonymous with "
immediately
", "
now
", which in a somewhat archaic language can still resurface as is the case here at the beginning of the nineteenth century.
The same is true of Georges Touchard-Lafosse's remark in 1834, letting it be said in La Pudeur et l'Opéra: "
It is midnight just now, without it appearing, and the nights are not hot."
"
To discover
Digital event of the literary Figaro: "How to get published?"
In the secret of publishing houses ”
Passionate about word games?
Discover the Figaro games app
To read also "See you on time": do not make the mistake!
What is the origin of "just now"?
In 1606, in the Thresor of the French language as old as modern of Jean Nicot, not just now, but already his ancestor, "
everything at this hour
", translated by the Latin nunc iam (now, already).
A few decades later, the simplified expression just now will take over, meaning "immediately".
In the 17th century, for the people, everything
This article is for subscribers only.
You have 55% left to discover.
To cultivate one's freedom is to cultivate one's curiosity.
Continue reading your article for € 1 for 2 months
I ENJOY IT
Already subscribed?
Log in