LL-L "Etymology" 2010.05.13 (08) [EN]

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L O W L A N D S - L - 13 May 2010 - Volume 08
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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>

Subject: Etymology


I wrote:



Apparently, “big” started appearing in Northern English varieties in the
13th century, first meaning ‘strong’ and ‘powerful’. As it spread, it
acquired the meaning ‘of great size’.

It’s origin is unclear. Some believe it is connected with (older?) Norwegian
*bugge* ‘big man’.

If “bogey” (“bogeyman”, “bugbear”, “bugaboo” etc.) is related to this isn’t
clear, though somewhat possible in my opinion. In Middle English it was *
bugge* and denoted a scary monster. There appears to be a strong Celtic
connection, e.g. Welsh *bwg*, Scottish Gaelic *bogill* (> Scots *bogle*),
both ‘ghost’, ‘monster’, ‘bugbear’, etc. (also Welsh *bwgwl* ‘fear’ >
‘threat’). German dialects -- I believe they are southern, thus those in
areas in which Celtic used to be spoken -- have *Bögge* and *Böggelmann* in
the same sense.



I need to add the following, just for you to think about:



Old Irish Gaelic *Púca* (> Irish English “Pooka” or “Phooka”) ‘ghost’, etc.,
related to Welsh *Pwwka*, *Pooka*, *Puka*, *Phouka*, *Púka*, *Pwca*, Cornish
*Bucca*, English *Puck*.


Regards,
Reinhard/Ron
Seattle, USA



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