Basque butterflies

[Rick Mc Callister]

[snip]
>Group 1a.

>bitxilote (B)
>bitxileta
>pitxilote (B)
>pitxoleta (B)
>pitxeleta (B)
>pitxilota (B)

>These appear to be based on <bitxi>, western variant <pitxi>, 'pretty little
>thing', 'ornament', 'jewel', an item well attested everywhere as an
>independent
>word (though in varying senses), and also very frequent as a first element in
>expressive and nursery formations.  The final element is entirely obscure, and
>very likely a meaningless expressive element.

	Any possible link between <bitxi> and Spanish <bicho> "bug,
critter, varmint" and also various slang meanings

[snip]

>These variants show an unexpected initial /m/.  This might result either
>from a
>perception that they are expressive formations (/m/ is much favored in
>expressive formations in Basque), or from contamination by <Mitxel>
>'Mike', the
>regular diminutive of <Mikel> 'Michael'.  (Personal names are frequent as
>first
>elements in expressive names for small creatures: note, for example,
><matxinsalto> 'grasshopper', literally 'Marty-jump'.)

	maybe influenced by Spanish <saltamontes> "Grasshopper", literally
"jump weeds"

[snip]

Rick Mc Callister
W-1634
Mississippi University for Women
Columbus MS 39701