Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2002 23:45:36 -0800
Subject: Re: PUPT: Can't find-


Hi, Mary!

	I can give you only the most incomplete of confirmations: 
The word "marionette" did indeed originate in France, with the
meaning "Little Marie".  The word probably entered the English
language sometime around 1610 and is definitely recorded in
writing as of 1620.  (My sources for this are the Random House
Unabridged, 2nd Edition, and the first edition of the OED, and
can be regarded as authoritative as far as they go.) 
Unfortunately I can't confirm the explanations of why "Little
Marie" has come to mean what it does.

				Best,

				Spence


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