Re: Interesting Words

On Mon, 5 Nov 2001, Elliott Lash wrote:

> >
> > > On Sun, 4 Nov 2001 17:00:14 EST, Elliott Lash <AL260@...> wrote:
> > >
> > > >(that was a stupid subject line I know)
> > > >
> > > >Anyway, I'm wondering about that age old 'language myth' about the many words for
> > > >snow in Eskimo. Now of course I know this is untrue, but, does anyone have a
> > > >language with a similar group of words with related meanings? Let me try to
> > > >demonstrate using Silindion.
> > >
> >
> > Well now I'm curious what is this myth? I know that Nenets, Nganasan and
> > Selkup have different words for snow depending on if it's old and hard,
> > soft inside but crusty surface, thick slushy, watery slushy, and so on...
>
>
> Oh..well that's the extent of what Eskimo does as well. The reason why it's a 'myth',
> is that many people believe that the words all simply mean 'snow' which is
> not the case.
>
> Elliott
>
Ah, ok. I see. Thanks.

---frank