LL-L "Etymology" 2007.07.14 (02) [E]

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L O W L A N D S - L  -  14 July 2007 - Volume 02

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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Etymology

Sandy et al.,

This is a follow-up on our discussion about place names with "ham," and it
is a crossover from the "History" thread.

Turns out that this "ham" is etymologically related to English (hemm >)
"hem" with the meaning 'border' (> 'border of a garment'). It is further
related to the following:

   - German hemm- (hemmen) 'to stop', 'to hinder', 'to curb', 'to check',
   'to restrain', southern dialects 'to enclose lifestock'
   - Old English hemman 'to hinder', 'to curb', 'to check', 'to
   restrain', 'to stop (up)', 'to shut'
   - Old Norse hemja 'to restrain', 'to curb', 'to check', 'to force';
   hemill 'hobbling device'
   - Old Frisian ham, hamm, hem, him 'enclosed pasture', 'fighting/battle
   arena'
   - North Frisian heam 'hem', 'edge', 'border'
   - Old Saxon ham 'meadow', 'nook', 'corner', 'bay' (< *'enclosed
   pasture')
   - Low Saxon Hamm 'enclosed land', Rhenish 'meadow' (> Northern German)
   - Western Flemish: ham 'meadow'
   - Indo-European *kem- 'to enclose with wickerwork (> fence)'
   - Greek κημόσ kēmós 'woven urn lid', 'fish trap', 'muzzle'

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron
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