Courtesy of the Beeb:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18796493
Lots of fun!
Words from Indian
- Slava
- Great Grand Panjandrum
- Posts: 8107
- Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2006 9:31 am
- Location: Finger Lakes, NY
Words from Indian
Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.
In contrast to the article, the etymological dictionary linked to this site states that root of the word "chili" is the Nahuatl word "xilli" and that the plant is "not named for the South American country"
According to Wikipedia, the country takes its name from Quechua "chin" meaning "cold" and "tchili" meaning "snow." So Chile is chilly (the English word is unrelated of course). In Chile, the plant is known as "aji," from Taino, the people who inhabited the Caribbean when Columbus arrived.
According to Wikipedia, the country takes its name from Quechua "chin" meaning "cold" and "tchili" meaning "snow." So Chile is chilly (the English word is unrelated of course). In Chile, the plant is known as "aji," from Taino, the people who inhabited the Caribbean when Columbus arrived.
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- Great Grand Panjandrum
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- Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2006 4:41 am
- Location: Texas
Remember that Hindi and the older Sanskrit are PIE languages. Gymkhana, discussed in the BBC article referenced by Slava, is said not to be PIE. Strange coincidence that gymnasium, a PIE word through Greek, is also associated with athletics. Maybe there is a relationship of which the writers are unaware.
One of my favorite words of Indian origin is teapoy. Since it is frequently a table from which tea is served, one might think the first syllable refers to the beverage. Not so. It comes totally from PIE and means three feet, or a table with three legs.
One of my favorite words of Indian origin is teapoy. Since it is frequently a table from which tea is served, one might think the first syllable refers to the beverage. Not so. It comes totally from PIE and means three feet, or a table with three legs.
It is dark at night, but the Sun will come up and then we can see.
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