Re: French for "Kingdom" (Was Re: Language naming terminology)

Nik Taylor wrote:

> Tom Wier wrote:
> > Yep.  Apparently, "realm" (probably something like /Re:lm/) and "reau=
m"
> > were alternants in the Middle English period, both ultimately coming =
from
> > Old French, which in turn were both from Lat. _regimen_  "system of
> > goverment", which in turn comes from PIE *reg-, "to rule".
>
> But where'd the -l- come from?
I checked the etymology in a second dictionary, and both agree on what I
wrote above.  I could only surmise that the /l/ comes from intereference =
of
other semantically closely related words, such as <regal>, <royal> (which
was then spelled (most commonly) <roial>) and so forth.  Analogy of this =
kind is
never regular, by definition, but it does occur frequently to level out
perceived irregularities (such as the plural <shoen> and <kine> for
<shoes> and <cows>, respectively).  In spelling, this is the origin of
the <l> in <could> (which, coming from <can>, never had an /l/) to
make it conform to <should> and <would>, whose other forms still
do have the <l>.

It is of course possible that Ray's etymology from Lat. <reg=E2limen>
is correct, but our dear friends the lexicographers would have us think
otherwise.  Whatever.

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Tom Wier <artabanos@...>
ICQ#: 4315704   AIM: Deuterotom
Website: <http://www.angelfire.com/tx/eclectorium/>
"Cogito ergo sum, sed credo ergo ero."

We look at [the Tao], and do not see it;
  Its name is the Invisible.
                 - Lao Tsu, _Tao Te Ching_

Nature is wont to hide herself.
                 - Herakleitos
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