Ethnonyms (Ethiopian)

[Alan Hartley]

David Robertson wrote:

> Klahowya,
>
> A)  Terry, viz. the entertaining origin of "Ethiopia" in ancient Greek
> geographical knowledge:  I recall it means "burnt skins" or "burnt land"
> or whatnot.

The OED gives the "commonly believed" Greek etymology (meaning 'burnt face'), but
then says "the formation is however not clear, and some have supposed the word to
be an etymologizing corruption of a foreign ethnic name."