* * * * *
"PIC-NICS."
(Vol. iv., p. 152.; Vol. vi., pp. 518. &c.)
Will you accept a French elucidation of the etymon of this word, which has
sorely puzzled your correspondents? What saith the _Encyclopédie des Gens
du Monde_, tom. xix. (1843):
"PIQUE NIQUE.--Expression empruntée de l'Anglais, où elle est formée de
_pick_, choisir, et _nick_, instant précis, et signifie choix judicieux
où tout se rencontre bien. On se sert aussi en Français de cette
locution pour désigner un repas où chacun paie son écot, ou bien auquel
chacun contribue en fournissant un des plats."
The word is in Ménage (_Dictionnaire étymologique_, folio, 1694):
"PIQUENIQUE.--Nous disons _faire un repas à pique-nique_, pour dire
faire un repas où chacun paye son écot: ce que les Flamans disent,
_parte bétal, chacun sa part_. Ce mot n'est pas ancien dans notre
langue; et il est inconnu dans la plupart de nos provinces."
_Picnics_ were known and practised in the reign of James I. An amusing
description of one is given in a letter from Sir Philip Mainwaring, dated
Nov. 22, 1618. The knight is writing to Lord Arundel from Newmarket:
"The Prince his birth-day hathe beene solemnised heare by those few
Marquises and Lords which found themselves heare, and to supplie the
want of the Lords, Knights and Squires were admitted to a consultation,
wherein it was resolved that such a number should meete at Gamiges, and
bring every man his dish of meate. It was left to their own choyces
what to bring: some strove to be substantiall, some curios, and some
extravagant. Sir George Goring's invention bore away the bell; and that
was foure huge brawny piggs, pipeing hott, bitted and harnised with
ropes of sarsiges, all tyde to a monstrous bag-pudding."
And on the 28th of the same month, Mr. Chamberlain wrote to Sir Dudley
Carleton:
"We hear nothing from Newmarket, but that they devise all the means
they can to make themselves merry; as of late there was a feast
appointed at a farmhouse not far off, whither every man should bring
his dish. The king brought a great chine of beef, the Marquis of
Hamilton four pigs incircled with sausages, the Earl of Southampton two
turkies, another six partridges, and one a whole tray full of buttered
eggs; {241} and so all passed off very pleasantly."--Nichols's
_Progresses of James I._, vol. iii. pp. 495. 496.