325: Lob and Lop Oct 29, 2015

The words 'lob' and 'lop' are similar, and not just because because of the similar sounds. 'Lob', in the late 16th century meant ‘cause or allow to hang heavily’ which comes from the archaic noun lob meaning, ‘pendulous object’. 'Lop' now usually denotes cutting, but originally this word was representative of limpness. Over time, 'lop'–similar to 'lob'–denoted hanging, specifically branches; the notion of cutting branches gave rise to the connotation the verb has today.