LL-L "Etymology" 2003.11.02 (05) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

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L O W L A N D S - L * 02.NOV.2003 (05) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
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A=Afrikaans Ap=Appalachian B=Brabantish D=Dutch E=English F=Frisian
L=Limburgish LS=Lowlands Saxon (Low German) N=Northumbrian
S=Scots Sh=Shetlandic V=(West)Flemish Z=Zeelandic (Zeêuws)
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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Etymology

Dear Lowlanders,

In my opinion, one of the etymologically most mysterious words in the
Anglo-Saxon language varieties is "bad" (Scots _bad_ ~ _baud_).  I can think
of no cognates in other Germanic varieties, nor of any French or Latin words
that may have given rise to it.  Dictionaries are somewhat vague and
tentative about it.

The most frequently suggested etymology is a derivation from Old English
_bæddel_ or _bædling_ 'hermaphrodite' > 'effeminate male'.  Partridge
prefers the hypothesis of "bad" being derived from Celtic *_bad(t)os_ "(well
attested in derivatives)" > *_bad_ 'wide open' ("'wide open (to all
influence, esp the worst)'"), "(cf the LL [= Late Latin] _bassus_, squat,
short, low)".  (Am I the only one who has difficulties connecting 'wide open
' with 'low'?)

Certainly, suspecting "bad" of having a Celtic source seems reasonable,
given that there appear to be no cognates in related languages of
Continental Europe.

This may see like quite a leap, but I am wondering about Modern Persian
(Farsi) _bad_, Tajik _bad_, Wakhi _bað_, Sarikoli _bað_, Pahlavi _wad_,
Kurdish _bed_ 'bad' (with variants in other Iranian varieties).
Indo-European connection or simply coincidence?

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron

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