LL-L "Etymology" 2010.05.04 (04) [EN]

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L O W L A N D S - L - 04 May 2010 - Volume 04
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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>

Subject: Etymology



Dear Lowlanders,

Talking about the month of May ... I wonder what the story behind the Low
Saxon word *Maiaap* and its German cognate *Maiaffe* is. Their literal
meaning is “May ape/monkey”, and this means something like ‘fool‘, ‘silly
person‘.

I wonder if it goes back to May being what in German is called the *Wonnemond
*or *Wonnemonat* ("month of bliss”), associated with courting. So perhaps *
Maiaap* and *Maiaffe* originally denoted a fellow that acted particularly
giddily, someone that got quite carried away playing the suitor during this
season of traditional courting rituals and festivities.

Any cognates and ideas out there?

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron
Seattle, USA



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