In IE, there are a lot of bh:p-l:r- with the variousest meanings.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cybalist/message/8719
They all have to do with "two, two sides, crossing between two
sides, cutting into two". Some, the latter, mean "split, cleave".
Given the Grimm shift IE bh:p-l:r- becomes b:f-l:r, ie. no *p-l- in
Germanic (except after s- : split, Germ- spalten).
So how come <plough> is supposed to be Germanic? Traditional wisdom
says Rus. <plug> is a Germanic loan, and it does look Low German, but
why does Germanic have two words for "plough"? (cf. Da.
<ard> "primitive wheeless plough". Also, place names show most of
Denmark was not cultivated until the 12th-13th century when Denmark
had much contact with the Wends. Was a new plough a reason behind the
Slavic expansion?
Torsten