: Butterflies

--- In conlang@yahoogroups.com, Raivo Seppo <uiracocha@H...> wrote:

>A newcomer in the list proposes to extend the theme: what are the
>roots/words semantically connected to the term ´butterfly`or is the
>term an independent one? It´s quite obvious in English (butter-fly,
>OE butorfleoge) or, perhaps, in Estonian - ´liblikas´ is derived
>from >´lible`(a grass-blade). As I remember, Greek ´psyche´also
>referred to the insect, being appositely animistic in that
>connection.
I've always been attracted to, fascinated by, charmed by
butterflies.  Consequently I have tried to learn the words for this
insect in various language.  Sometimes, however, the etymology of
these words is not apparent.

The German is Schmetterling, a small Schmetter??  What is a
Schmetter. :-)  The verb "schmettern" doesn't seem to be applicable.

The Italian is farfalla. Etymology?

The Spanish is mariposa.  Etymology?  Is the Portuguese similar?

The classical Greek word is, indeed, psyche:.  The modern Greek is
e: petaloúdha.

My Welsh dictionary gives 3 words: glöyn byw, iâr fach yr haf, pili-
pala.  This last one is a delightful word; is it onomatopoetic?
Etymologies?

The Tagalog is paruparó.  Onomatopoetic?

The Comanche is ueyahcorá.

Opera buffs know the Japanese word: cho-cho, spelled cio-cio by
Puccini.  I couldn't find this cho in my copy of "A Guide To
Remembering Japanese Characters."

I've saved the Latin until last.  The Latin word is papilio (-nis)
which AHD says is of unknow origin.  I happen to know that it
derives from the Senjecan word paaflen > paafla, to flutter, i.e.,
the fluttering animal, the -en class being the class of animals.

Charlie
http://wiki.frath.net/user:caeruleancentaur

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