Re: R: Re: Old Norse (was Re: New to the list)
| From: | Roger Mills <romilly@...> |
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| Date: | Friday, June 23, 2000, 4:53 |
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Vima Kadphises/Carlo wrote:
Another question for the list: Spanish usted, while traditionally
derived from a Spanish honorific, looks and sounds awfully similar to Ar.
ustaadh, "doctor," also used as a sign of respect. Is this just a happy
coincidence?
The official party line, I think, is coincidence. Older Vuestra Merced,
often Vuesa Merced. But it wouldn't surprise me if 700 years of Arabic
influence had _something_ to do with it. OTOH there's Ar. sharif 'esteemed'
and Engl. sheriff (< shire reeve, an old official post), which is pure
coincidence.