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doff and don
Oct. 11th, 2021 07:56 amdoff (DOF, DAWF) - v., to remove or take off, as clothing; to remove or tip (one's hat) as a sign of respect; to rid oneself of (something).
don (DON) - v., to put on, as clothing.
This pair dates to the late 14th century, both created around the same time using the same process: contractions of do off and do on -- or to be more precise and use the verb forms of the time, don off and don on. The metaphoric extension of doff dates to Shakespeare, when Juliet on the balcony urges, "Romeo, doff thy name". The two were of roughly equal popularity until the late 19th century, when don become more common, and remains so today.
---L.
don (DON) - v., to put on, as clothing.
This pair dates to the late 14th century, both created around the same time using the same process: contractions of do off and do on -- or to be more precise and use the verb forms of the time, don off and don on. The metaphoric extension of doff dates to Shakespeare, when Juliet on the balcony urges, "Romeo, doff thy name". The two were of roughly equal popularity until the late 19th century, when don become more common, and remains so today.
---L.
