The Literature Network - Words: Mort, n.

Words: Mort, n.

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From: The Independent - London
Date: 20001031
Author:CHRISTOPHER HAWTREE

ONE WOULD have thought that there could be some rest from the rigours of maintaining a words column, such as breakfast-time reading of Jack Adrian's obituary of Edgar Wallace's secretary. But, no!, she took down his dictating of a play which made "a mort of money". Ask around, and one and all deem obscure this pleasing variant on pile or heap. "Not in elegant use" (Johnson), it is perhaps from a mass of lard (a product of death) or Old Norse murth (large quantity - or death). Mirth - as in laughter - is a shortening of time.

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