Ok so maybe I am getting a little obsessive. I wrote a previous article about snorkels that are used for Mixed Martial Arts training. My thirst for knowledge sent me back to the internet to figure out a few things. The first thing that I wanted was to find the etymology (origin) of the word snorkel.
The origin of the word snorkel, according to The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology (Date: 1996 Author: T. F. HOAD | © The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology 1996, originally published by Oxford University Press 1996″, is as follows:
“snorkel, schnorkel underwater breathing device, esp. on a submarine. XX. — G. schnorchel.
Well that wasn’t quite as enlightening as I hoped, so delving deeper, I found another reference from the Online Etymology Dictionary which states
” 1944, “airshaft for submarines,” from Ger. Schnorchel, from Ger. navy slang Schnorchel “nose, snout,” related to schnarchen “to snore” (see snore).
So called from its resemblance to a nose and its noise when in use. The Anglicized spelling first recorded 1949. The meaning “curved tube used by a swimmer to breathe under water” is first recorded in 1953. ” This would mean that the word schnorchel (pronounced “shnor-kel”) had its beginnings in Germany in 1944 (during WWII) and referred to an apparatus on a submarine.
The first current english spelling of s-n-o-r-k-e-l was first seen in 1949 and it wasn’t until 1953 that the word was applied to the snorkel of which I am more familiar.
That’s a little better but if the word didn’t refer to what I call a snorkel, then how come is it listed in the 1951 August issue of Popular Mechanics?
Popular Mechanics magazine was always considered ahead of its time back in the day so I guess I will have to settle for that explanation. I am impressed that it was sold at Abercrombie and Fitch which, any teenager today knows, sells status clothing. I also found patents for snorkels dating back as far as May 12, 1863. This particular patent did not use the word snorkel; instead they called it a “Life Preserver”. I’m sure glad that name didn’t stick. I could just imagine the confusion on a sinking ship.
Well I am happy to say that I am satisfied with the information on the history of the snorkel. What bothers me now is: What in the world is a snorkeling jacket?
