LL-L: "Etymology" LOWLANDS-L, 05.SEP.2001 (01) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

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 L O W L A N D S - L * 05.SEP.2001 (01) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Etymology

Dear Lowlanders,

Here is one for you to chew over - no pun intended - while I am globetrotting.

The other day I came across the word "benny seeds" meaning "sesame seeds" in
an American English dialect of South Carolina.  In the meantime I found out
that this is the usual term in Bahamian English as well.

Here are a few questions and guesses:

(1) Is this or a similar word used in Gullah (an African-English hybrid of
South Carolina)?

(2) Is this or a similar word used in other English varieties?

(3) Can you use "benny" for "sesame" by itself (without "seeds")?

(4) Am I right in assuming that the word is of West African origin?*

*Mandinka has _benoo_ for 'sesame'. Compare African-derived American English
food words such as "goober" for "peanut" (cf. Kongo _nguba_).

Thanks and best regards,
Reinhard/Ron

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