> On Sun, Sep 12, 2010 at 03:11:05PM +0100, Bob W scripsit: > [snip] > > ...This sort of thing is found a lot where one language group has > > replaced another. The conqueror points to some natural feature and > > asks 'What is that called'. The vanquished native replies 'it is the > > Don' meaning 'it's the river, you idiot'*. The mighty conqueror says > > 'we shall call it the River Don'. And so it flows quietly on. > > > > *This is the meaning of the Ojibwe word Mississippi. > > My favourite of these is Torpenhow Hill. (Tor, Pen, and How all meaning hill > in a succession of languages.) > > -- Graydon
a perfect example! I'm looking forward to the day it becomes Mount Torpenhowhill. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
