Re: [tied] Re: PIE for "eel"

The trick won't work. The sequence *-ngWH- can only give -ng(w)- across the board in Germanic. Vernerian alternations are only possible in words containing an original medial voiceless stop, e.g. -onk^- > PGmc. -anx-/-ang- (depending on the location of stress) > -a~x/-ang- (the deletion of the nasal is conditioned by the following velar fricative), etc. Not that I support the "water-worm" analysis. All we have is PGmc. *e:l-a-z, external cognates unknown.

Piotr

----- Original Message -----
From: tgpedersen@...

To: cybalist@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, July 13, 2001 10:48 AM

Subject: [tied] Re: PIE for "eel"

My NuDansk Ordbog says of ål, Aal, eel etc "of unknown origin". But all we need is -ng- to relate it to the anguilla. So how about using the old Germ. "Hengst" vs N.Gmc "hest" trick again (ng > ng, nX > nothing).