> Okay, need help here. What is the etymology of the
word "cat"? I've
> found it in many languages, but probably as
borrowings.
>
> Latin catus
> French chat
> Spanish
gato
> Irish cat
> Welsh cath
> German Katze
> Russian
koshka (< kot)
>
> But... Cl. Greek ailouros.
(Modern Greek gata though!)
EIEC points out the possible relationship to Latin
catulus 'young animal'. ?*bhel-
'wildcat; any small carnivore' and ??*kat- 'cat' are
given as doubtful PIE etyma for felids. EIEC suggests Nubian katis
is the ultimate origin.
?*bhel, however, may indeed be PIE and
would be behind Latin felis; there seem to be Sanskrit
and Maldivian cognates.
Domestic cats were known in the Mediterranean by classical times, but were
relatively rare until rather late, so far as I recall. Domestic ferrets were
used instead. I'm remembering a story about Constantine the Great's mother, St.
Helena, and how she is attributed as the one who really introduced the cat to
Greece.