Re: [tied] Re: etruscan

From: Piotr Gasiorowski
Message: 5454
Date: 2001-01-12

The shallow valleys along the south coast of England, where stream courses cut through the South Downs, are toponymically -deans (hence placenames like Saltdean, Rottingdean, Ovingdean, etc.). That's *dan- as well. The east coast of Denmark has lots of similar features.
 
Piotr
 
 
----- Original Message -----
From: Torsten Pedersen
To: cybalist@egroups.com
Sent: Friday, January 12, 2001 11:04 AM
Subject: [tied] Re: etruscan

--- In cybalist@egroups.com, "Piotr Gasiorowski" <gpiotr@......> wrote:
> Have we explored all the etymological possibilities offered by
Germanic before reaching for exotic sources? We have derivatives of
PGmc *dan- in words meaning 'low ground', '(wooded) valley', 'wood'
(and by extension, 'hiding-place, den'). Accordingly, the Danes' name
may have originally meant 'Valley-folk' or 'Woodlanders'.
>
> Piotr

Yes I've seen that suggestion before, mostly by people who haven't
been here. I must admit it sounds like a nice place. I just wonder
where to find those wooded valleys in my country, especially if
withan opposition Danes/Jutes with the Danes living on the islands.
As for "low ground" this would certainly fit a country like the
Netherlands. But Denmark is no flatter and no hillier than Northern
Germany, Northern France, Southern England or Northern Poland, for
that matter. The thing that sets it apart from thosde landscapes is
the sea.

Torsten