*gwh in Gmc.

[Thomas McFadden]

> we would expect /m/ before /p/. But the Gmc. languages have mostly the
> reflexes of /n/, which is possible before labiovelars like /kw/ (probably
> being realised as (ng)), but not before true labials. Later occurences of
> /m/ in Gmc. languages can be easily explained as assimilations.

Although I favor the assumption of *penkwe over *pempe, i don't think
this an be used as an argument in its favor.  German is the only place
where I can find -n- in Gmc. words for five, ON. having fimm, Goth. with
fimf and OE OFris OS with fi:f (unless I'm missing something).  And in
fact OHG has fimf next to finf and funf, and I think the fimf might be the
older.  The change to -n- in HGer. would be an instance of a common
dissimilation of m to n before f (or at least of a constraint that n is
the only nasal allowed before f).  Consider Kunft, which is derived from
some pre-form of kommen.

Tom McFadden