testament and testicle

[C. G. Estabrook]

The "nut cases" (cute pun) may be on to something here, the suggestion
being that both words derive from L. testis = witness, from testari = to
be a witness, attest, make a will, etc. Add -ment(um) to the verb (which
indicates the result or product of the action of the verb) and you have
testament.  Add the diminutive -cule to the noun and you have "little
witness," viz. of virility.  (The OED considers this etymology uncertain
but admits a 16th c. French parallel.)  --CGE

On Fri, 1 Mar 2002, Charles Jannuzi wrote:


> > He made a big deal out of the fact that "testament" and "testicle"
> > had common roots, though now I can't remember just what was so
> > important about it. Doug
> 
> His linguistics (not Doug's) are as bad as his social theories. They
> are not common roots but rather just a coincidence of homographs,
> testis meaning witness and testis the latin plural for testiculus.  
> However, folk etymologies like this often do appeal to nut cases to
> help them 'prove' something.