Mistra: a medieval ghost town in southern Greece

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2-13-2012 @ 5:02AM

Nancy said...

Yes, you're correct about the meaning of "hawking", to sell to the general public from a street corner or public market. But the king didn't stand on the street, crying out "Fresh jewels! Get your jewels here, all types, all sizes! Something for everyone! Best provenance, motivated seller! Best deal in town, step right up before they're gone!" THAT is "hawking".

But that's not the kind of selling that royalty and nobility did in centuries past to raise needed funds. When a seller takes something to an interested and qualified buyer to raise needed cash, that is "hocking", as in the TV show, "Pawn Stars". The words sound alike, and they both mean "selling", but each refers to a very different form of selling. They are not synonyms.

And I ALWAYS check my facts before correcting someone else. Always.

2-13-2012 @ 5:11AM

Sean McLachlan said...

From the Random House Dictionary:

HOCK
verb (used with object)
1. pawn.
noun
2. the state of being deposited or held as security; pawn: She was forced to put her good jewelry in hock.
3. the condition of owing; debt: After the loan was paid, he was finally out of hock.

HAWK
verb (used with object)
1. to peddle or offer for sale by calling aloud in public.
2. to advertise or offer for sale: to hawk soap on television.
3. to spread (rumors, news, etc.).
verb (used without object)
4. to carry wares about for sale; peddle.

The Byzantines sold the crown jewels, they didn't pawn them, so "hawk" is the correct term, specifically definition #2 "to advertise or offer for sale". Hawking doesn't have to be calling aloud in the marketplace, but the word conveys a cheapness and crassness that I wanted reflect.

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