[Fictionary] Etymology of the Day--gist

[David Randall]

Dear All,

I came across the etymology for gist, which I find fascinating.

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=gist

gist (n.) 
1711, "the real point" (of a law case, etc.), from Anglo-French legalese phrases such as cest action gist "this action lies," meaning "this case is sustainable by law," from Old French gist en "it consists in, it lies in" (third person singular present indicative of gésir "to lie"), from Latin iacet "it lies," from iacere "to lie, rest," related to iacere "to throw" (see jet (v.)). Extended sense of "essence" first recorded 1823.

I had no idea.

In bemusement and wonder, David

PS. If this has been discussed on this list before, apologies for my wonky memory.
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