LL-L "Etymology" 2008.04.30 (05) [E]

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L O W L A N D S - L  - 30 April 2008 - Volume 05
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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
 Subject: Names

Folks,

I was astonished to find that the basil herb is by no means a newcomer in
our Lowlands and that it has native-based names that predate the Basil
tradition.

Old English:
  *eorþmistel* ("earth mistle")

Old Saxon:
  *butheling* ~ *buthiling* (< **botheling* 'groundling'?)
*
*cf. Old Saxon *bothom* 'bottom'

Some say that the meaning of Old English *eorþmistel* is unclear, while
others claim it is 'basil'. If the latter assertion is correct, the common
idea in both languages would be that the plant is low-growing, perhaps its
leaves resembling those of trees but growing on the ground.

Old German:
  *girgel* ~ *girgila* (< ?)
*  metukrūt* ("mead plant")

*Metukrūt* seems to be used for 'parsnip' as well, perhaps because the roots
are sweet and also used to be used as sweeteners before the use of sugar.

The early dates of alleged occurrences of names for 'basil' surprises me.
Should we believe it? After all, we are dealing with a warm weather plant
which appears to have been native in Southern or Southeastern Asia. I assume
that it reached the Lowlands via the Mediterranean region.

However, we need to keep in mind that in the olden days ordinary people
(unlike perhaps shamans and other types of healers as well as herbalist
monks and nuns) weren't always that finicky about the accuracy of plant
names, and there used to be a lot more regional differences then than now.

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron
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