_Alarm_ (Vol. ii., p. 151.).--The derivation of _alarm_, and the French
_alarme_, from _à l'arme_, which your correspondent M. has reproduced,
has always struck me as unsatisfactory, and as of the class of
etymologies suspiciously ingenious. I do not venture to pronounce that
the derivation is wrong: I merely wish to ventilate a doubt through
"NOTES AND QUERIES," and invite some of your more learned readers to
lily to decide the question.
Of the identity of the words _alarm_ and _alarum_ there is no doubt. The
verb _alarm_ is spelt _alarum_ in old writers, and I have seen it so
spelt in manuscripts of Charles II.'s reign, but unfortunately have not
taken a "Note." Dr. Johnson says _alarum_ is a corruption of _alarm_.
Corruption, however, usually shortens words. I cannot help having a
notion that _alarum_ is the original word; and, though I may probably be
showing great ignorance in doing so, I venture to propound the following
Queries:--
1. How far back can the word _alarum_ be traced in our language, and how
far back _alarm_?
2. Can it be ascertained whether the French took _alarme_ from our
_alarm_, or we _alarm_ from them?
3. Can any explanation be given of _alarum_, supposing it to be the
original word? Is it a word imitative of sound?
_A l'arme_, instead of _aux armes_, adds to the suspiciousness of this
derivation.