What does "vetted" mean

Question

Hi , the word "vetted" is expressed alot latlely. Does anyone know the meaning, and derivation?TIA,Dennis"Be suspicious of anybody who claims to know the truth."

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]Hi , the word "vetted" is expressed alot latlely. Does anyone know the meaning, and derivation?[/nq]
(SOED5)
vet, verb trans.
/vEt/
Infl. -tt-. L19.
(from VET noun1.)
1. Submit (an animal) to examination or treatment by a veterinarysurgeon. colloq. L19.
2. Examine or treat (a person) medically. slang. L19.
3. Examine (work, a scheme, person, etc.) carefully and critically fordeficiencies or errors; spec. investigate the suitability of (a candidate) for a post requiring particular loyalty and trustworthiness. E20. positive vetting: see POSITIVE adjective.
Times Vassall had been vetted as necessary for his special post.

? vetter noun a person who vets people or things L20.

and the "VET noun1"

vet, noun1.
/vEt/
M19.
(Abbreviation of VETERINARIAN or VETERINARY.)
1. A veterinary surgeon. colloq. M19.
2. A doctor of medicine. slang. E20.

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Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Hi , the word "vetted" is expressed alot latlely. Does anyone know the meaning, and derivation?[/nq]
[nq:1](SOED5) vet, verb trans. /vEt/ Infl. -tt-. L19. (from VET noun1.) 1. Submit (an animal) to examination or treatment by ... /vEt/ M19. (Abbreviation of VETERINARIAN or VETERINARY.) 1. A veterinary surgeon. colloq. M19. 2. A doctor of medicine. slang. E20.[/nq]
Evan Morris, in his Word Detective Web site at
http://www.word-detective.com/041798.html#vet
agrees that the verb "vet" comes from "veterinarian." He adds (in an article from 1998) that "it has been in standard, albeit informal, use in Britain since the turn of the century. "

Raymond S. Wise
Minneapolis, Minnesota USA
E-mail: mplsray @ yahoo . com

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Evan Morris, in his Word Detective Web site at http://www.word-detective.com/041798.html#vet agrees that the verb "vet" comes from "veterinarian." He adds (in an article from 1998) that "it has been in standard, albeit informal, use in Britain since the turn of the century. "[/nq]
Based on nothing more than informal, unsystematic personal observation on both sides of the pond, I'd say it is a fairly recent BrE import into AmE.
I don't recall hearing/reading it from AmE government sources or news outlets even 3-4 years ago, and now it's more or less standard.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2](SOED5) vet, verb trans. /vEt/ Infl. -tt-. L19. (from VET ... surgeon. colloq. M19. 2. A doctor of medicine. slang. E20.[/nq]
[nq:1]Evan Morris, in his Word Detective Web site at http://www.word-detective.com/041798.html#vet agrees that the verb "vet" comes from "veterinarian." He adds (in an article from 1998) that "it has been in standard, albeit informal, use in Britain since the turn of the century. "[/nq]
I think he's wrong to imply its use was informal throughout C20. OED cites 'positive vetting' from 1955 viz. : "H. Macmillan in Hansard Commons 7 Nov.
1499 At the beginning of 1952, a regular system of positive vetting wasintroduced. This procedure entails detailed research into the whole background of the officer concerned." which places the term in the Civil Service from 1952.
It was a well known and official term for a formal procedure when I joined in the 60s. People of a certain rank or who were candidates for certain jobs had to be 'positively vetted' ( in the jargon, "PV'd").
John Dean
Oxford

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Evan Morris, in his Word Detective Web site at http://www.word-detective.com/041798.html#vet ... use in Britain since the turn of the century. "[/nq]
[nq:1]Based on nothing more than informal, unsystematic personal observation on both sides of the pond, I'd say it is a ... hearing/reading it from AmE government sources or news outlets even 3-4 years ago, and now it's more or less standard.[/nq]
I'm pretty sure it goes back further than that, used for a new President's picking Cabinet members. So maybe it is like the locusts, only around for a little while every 4 or 8 years.

But you're right. Words catch on and get very popular quickly sometimes.
s/ meirman If you are emailing me please
say if you are posting the same response.
Born west of Pittsburgh Pa. 10 years
Indianapolis, 7 years
Chicago, 6 years
Brooklyn NY 12 years
Baltimore 20 years

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Evan Morris, in his Word Detective Web site at http://www.word-detective.com/041798.html#vet ... use in Britain since the turn of the century. "[/nq]
[nq:1]I think he's wrong to imply its use was informal throughout C20. OED cites 'positive vetting' from 1955 viz. : ... a certain rank or who were candidates for certain jobs had to be 'positively vetted' ( in the jargon, "PV'd").[/nq]
The difference between the positive and negative forms of vetting is described on an Australian Department of Defence webpage:

http://www.defence.gov.au/budget/02-03/dar/03 08security.htm
The basis for negative vetting is that a clearance will be granted unless the inquiry process reveals information prejudicial to the subject's suitability. Positive vetting requires that the checking process continue until suitability has been established beyond reasonable doubt.
Negative vetting looks at what is already known about the person.

Positive vetting goes much deeper and involves exploring relevant aspects of the person's life so far. This will include interviewing family, friends and other contacts as well as the person being vetted.

I and some colleagues were psoitively vetted in the early 1960s in connection with a job we were to do at a UK government establishment. We had to supply the names of referees - people who knew us and could speak knowledgeably about our activities and proclivities.

One of my colleagues was contacted by the investigator on his case and invited to give another person as referee in place of one he had specified. It seemed that unknown to him the person he had originally suggested was not above suspicion! A substitute name was supplied and all went smoothly from then on.

Peter Duncanson
UK
(posting from a.e.u)

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Dennis,
"Vet" originates from the Latin "veto" meaning to forbid, and, in the past, was connected with the action of investigating laws and policies to see whether or not they should he accepted or forbidden. I hope this helps.
Michael Trading English U. K..
were

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Hi , the word "vetted" is expressed alot latlely. Does anyone know the meaning, and derivation? TIA, Dennis[/nq]
Thank you all for the intelligent responses. I guess it is word , but it is not to be found in the dictiionary, as "vetted".
-Dennis

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Hi , the word "vetted" is expressed alot latlely. Does anyone know the meaning, and derivation?[/nq]
[nq:1]as used on people it means they passed scutiny and have been cleared for security purposes .[/nq]
In Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and probably some other areas, ``vetted'' is commonly used as an expression (or slang?) to say that someone refused an invitation for a date (for example). :-)

Translated to Portuguese: ``vetado''.

What does "vetted" mean

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