JOHN SMITH.
John Smith — plain John Smith — is not very high sounding ; it does not suggest aristocracy ; it is not the name of any hero in die-away novels; and yet is good, strong, and honest. Transferred to other languages, it seems to climb the ladder of respectability. Thus — in Latin it is Johannes Smithua; the Italian smooths it off into Giovani Smithi ; the Spaniards render it Juan Smithus; the Dutchman adopts it as Hans Schmidt; the French flatten it out into Jean Smeets ; and the Kussian sneezes and barks Johnloff Smitowski. When John Smith gets into the tea trade at Canton he becomes Jahon Shimmit; if he clambers about Mount Hecla the Icelanders say he is Jahne Smithson; if he trades among the Tuscaroras he becomes Tom Qua Smittia ; in Poland he is known as Ivan Schmidd ; when he goes to Mexico he is booked as Johth FSmitri ; if of classic turn, he lingers among Greek ruins, he turns to 'lon Smikton ; and in Turkey he is utterly disguised as Yoe Seef .
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP18850530.2.61
Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 108, 30 May 1885, Page 2 (Supplement)
Word Count
172JOHN SMITH. Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 108, 30 May 1885, Page 2 (Supplement)
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