Re: Indian Salmon and Greek Ants (was Re: an axe to grind)

Paul Bennett wrote:

> >>>> one root can become the word for both "salmon" and "ten thousand",
> >>> Yow!  Where did that happen?
> >>
> >> In PIE, of all places. As I understand it, the languages in question
> >> are those of Scandinavia (for "salmon") and India (for "ten thousand").
> >> The root in question is  lAek^s-, give or take the vagaries of your
> >> favorite transcription system.
(snips)
>
IIRC the usual reasoning for "salmon/10,00" has to do with quantities of
salmon going upstream to spawn, or perhaps with vast quantities of salmon
roe (but is that universally considered edible???). Personally I'm
skeptical...........

Anyhow, Indonesian has borrowed laksa '10,000'

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