LL-L "Etymology" 2011.05.25 (03) [EN]

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L O W L A N D S - L - 24 May 2011 - Volume 04
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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Etymology

Hi, Lowlanders,

I wonder why in some Low Saxon dialects the word for "superstition" (Dutch *
bijgeloof*, Limburgish *biegelouf*, German *Aberglauben*) is
*Höhnergloven*[ˈhœʏnɐˌglɔʊvm̩] ~ [ˈhɔɪnɐˌglɔʊbm̩], literally "chicken
belief". Is the
reference to "chickens" meant to devalue the belief, or is there an old
custom behind it all?

In other dialects, the words are *Avergloven* [ˈʔɒvɐˌglɔʊvm̩] ~
[ˈʔobɐˌglɔʊbm̩] (in early times suggesting "wrong belief") and
*Bigloven*[ˈbiːˌglɔʊvm̩] ~ [ˈbiːˌglɔʊbm̩] ("by-belief").

Also, the Scots word for "superstition" or "superstitious practice is *
freitery*, based upon *freit* [frit] ~ [fret] 'superstitious saying or
omen'. Did this come from Celtic?

What do you think?

Regards,

Reinhard/Ron
Seattle, USA

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