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Words of the day: "box" and "bolt"

From:Roger Mills <rfmilly@...>
Date:Wednesday, May 26, 2004, 4:57
Herman Miller wrote:
> I'll focus on four main usages of "bolt": a kind of screw, a kind of > arrow, a flash of lightning, and a large roll of cloth. There's also a > verb meaning "to move suddenly" (like an arrow? compare "dart"). > > I don't think there's enough difference between a bolt and a screw to > have a need for two different words in Lindiga; the big difference is > that a bolt is fastened with a nut, not so much in the design of the > bolt. So both "screw" and "bolt" will be "virlek" ["fil`@k].
The Kash feel there is a difference; screws are pointed and can, if need be, make their own hole. A bolt needs a hole drilled for it. Screw: feles Bolt: fetrak (< fel/es + raka 'big') The nut: çumet (< çuñ/a 'grab' + fet/rak), fetracumet 'nut and bolt, as a unit' completely unrelated: cecek 'bolt of lightning'
> > Similarly, "bolt" (as used with crossbows) and "arrow" are both "sik" > ["Sik].
Probably sim. in Kash; it's been so long since they used crossbows...but they do hunt with bow and arrow. "Move suddenly" and "bolt of cloth" go on the to-do list.....:-(( Mariners that they are, bolt and furled sail will likely be related. ------------------------------------------ As for box, we have _kopak_ for the container (also a storage chest), and _kopronek_ [...+ronek 'cold'] for refrigerator. Those imply rather substantial structures; I suspect a regular cardboard/paper box would be kopak + "cardboard/paper" -- I forget the words offhand. "To box" (the sport) is munepak < munuk 'compete' + epak 'fist'

Replies

Patrick Jarrett <gtg346g@...>
John Cowan <cowan@...>