SwiftVets.com

[JimRobson]

It's driving me crazy!!! I am constantly seeing the term "vett out" and I know what it means; to verify etc. and I have even used it in the proper context occasionally, but I would like to know where it comes from. I guess I'm a cultural nerd. If it comes from a TV entertainment or detective show I wouldn't have a clue, never touch the stuff.

TIA
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ETN2 PTF2 (Littlecreek Underwater Demolition Unit 2 1963)

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[Arty Guy]

My dictionary does not give the derivation of "to vet".

However the very first definition given is "to submit an animal to examination or treatment by a veterinary surgeon". The second definition is "to examine or treat a person medically (slang)". The third definition is "to examine carefully and critically for deficiencies or errors; investigate the suitability of a candidate for a post requiring particular loyalty and trustworthiness".

Maybe the third definition has evolved from the first two.

[lrb111]

[J. Toy]

Whatever the source of the word, it sure did get popular all of a sudden with the Rathergate situation.

Another example of how all the lemmings jump on an undiscovered crumb.
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[ProudDaughterofVet]

Okay, Jim, I did some research..(I admit, I love this stuff too!)..anyhoo, seems that it has been used just recently by media and pols here in the US, however, it has been used since the turn of the century in Britain..

Found the info at www.word-detective.com

a real fun site, but I quote the portion I found:

"Vet" has only fairly recently become the Word Du Jour among magazine writers and political pundits in the U.S., which explains why you hear it so often these days. But while "vet" evidently seems exotic to reporters and editorialists on this side of the Atlantic, it has been in standard, albeit informal, use in Britain since the turn of the century.

~ above quote from word-detective.com

Guess we would have to find out from the Brits!! Hope that helps, and thanks for the fun exercise while listening to Drudge tonight...

PD
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[Guest]

[kate]

more from the Word Detective on the origin

Perhaps the most surprising thing about "vet" is its origin, because it seems almost too simple. "Vet," the verb, like "vet" the noun, is a contraction of "veterinarian," and to "vet" originally meant to have your animal thoroughly examined by a vet.


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one of..... We The People

[JimRobson]

Wow, this is the place to come for linguistics research. Thanks everyone. I sure got more help than I bargained for.

I really should have known better myself since I took both of my dogs to the veterinarian this week to have them "vetted". They are both in great shape by the way. Jessie, our Doberman is almost 13 and aside from a little arthritis and very mild cateracts, is fine. And Rinney, the German Shepard you see proudly displayed in my sig., is a 2 year old who has enough energy to keep me, momma and Jessie hopping. He was just in for shots and his annual check up er, I mean vetting.

Come to think of it, some of the stories and documents we have vetted recently are "cats & dogs" (All due respect to the animals)

Thanks all, I can go to bed now and rest well.
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ETN2 PTF2 (Littlecreek Underwater Demolition Unit 2 1963)

http://www.thewebplace.com/

[ulfie56]

Jim,
I was thinking the same! You say vet to me and I automatically get out my checkbook. Your boy is beautiful. I have 4 under 2 years of my own.
Bet they wouldn't like Kerry- mine all have good taste.
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