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Re: [romanceconlang] More Guanche Words

From: John Cowan <jcowan@hidden.email>
Reply-To: romanceconlang@yahoogroups.com
To: romanceconlang@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [romanceconlang] More Guanche Words
Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2003 07:24:25 -0400

habarakhe4 scripsit:

>  [wirmas] > huirm(ax) [wirm] booties or averages (?)

The word "average" has an interesting tale to tell.  It originally
meant "damage to ship or cargo" < MFr _avarie_ < OIt _avaria <
Arabic _awa:ri:yah_, all of the same meaning.  Because such damage
was allocated to all who shipped cargo in proportion to the value
of their cargo, the word came to have its present mathematical
meaning.  So "booty" (pirate loot) and "average" are indeed connected.

--
And through this revolting graveyard of the universe the muffled, maddening
beating of drums, and thin, monotonous whine of blasphemous flutes from
inconceivable, unlighted chambers beyond Time; the detestable pounding
and piping whereunto dance slowly, awkwardly, and absurdly the gigantic
tenebrous ultimate gods -- the blind, voiceless, mindless gargoyles whose soul is Nyarlathotep. (Lovecraft) John Cowan|jcowan@hidden.email|ccil.org/~cowan
Given the initial lack of piracy in the Fortunate Islands, I've chosen the "damage" meaning. 

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