Why is a hack

All words have a meaning to them, they all come from other languages (french mostly lol, or latin). So when you say why is a table called a table or a saddle a saddle....well there will probably be a good reason.
 
My favourite anomaly is the word "dog" it is not derived from any other language, it just suddenly appeared in the English Language, most other words for a dog come from latin or norse.

Interestingly the word for a pack saddle still in use today here is the same as Icelanidc. Klibber.

And there is many a place around here called "Hestigarth" or Hestingsetter" all norse names for horse farms. "Hestaford" speaks for itself.
 
I had always heard that hacking was derived from 'hawking' where all the nobles would ride out and hunt/fly their hawks on horseback. Could be complete rubbish but it's what I've always believed. Now we ride out but without the big scary birds!
 
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