not an expert but...
Posted by P. Bingham on March 03, 1998 at 13:56:12:
In response to Earls and Counts, written by Constanza on March 03, 1998 at 13:41:03
As far as Count, I believe that is French, which is the equivalant to an earl. And if a French count is a count then the English would call him by the French name "count". As far as a Countess, that has likely been a borrowed term, (the English having borrowed it from the french) being perhaps more attractive than earless. I cannot say when "countess" became the norm in England, but when you think about it, it probably happened when the Normans came. There are numerous French terms in the English language. I am assuming, of course, that count is indeed French! I know that the term was used in other parts of Europe as well... Count Dracula in Romania!
Patricia
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