But the Polish prothesis before the
etymologically back nasal vowel is invariably <w-> [v-]. Before the front
nasal vowel we get <j->, also 100% of the time. [h] is only found
dialectally (and irregularly) in some relatively recent loans before [a] (armata
~ harmata 'cannon'). I wouldn't bet my bottom zloty that the particular
folk-etymological explanation I have offered is the best, but I'm pretty
sure the right solution must be something along these lines. And caterpillars,
unlike earthworms, do seem to be gooseneck-like rather than rope-like to
me.
Piotr
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, June 15, 2001 9:42
AM
Subject: [tied] Re: Slavic peoples and
places
The Polish example excludes East Slavic influence on
(Polish)
ga,sienica (too much of that influence), but, in my opinion,
makes "goose-neck worm" explanation too overstrained ("goose-neck
rope" ?). One should suppose (prosthetic) [h]>[g] developement in
Polish.