Re: [tied] The Brahman and the Brain

A crazy idea, perhaps, but I think a novel one: what would you say to OIA bráhman- < *mrég^H-mo:n, corresponding to the Greek neuter brékHma/brégma < *mrég^H-mn.? Wouldn't it be a refreshing suggestion, after all that old flaminal business? "Forehead, brain, mind, spirit"?

Piotr

----- Original Message -----
From: Jens Elmegaard Rasmussen

To: cybalist@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, October 18, 2002 2:37 PM

Subject: Re: [tied] Gmc. *bru:diz

It *is* beginning to look good. I have also wondered, in the light of the new idea on *bru:diz, if the connection made by P.Kiparsky between Eng. brain and Greek brekhm¢s 'front part of the head' (reported by Mayrhofer, Idg.Gr., Lautlehre p. 114) should be taken to represent IE *mr-, not *bhr-. That would sidestep the Grassmann problem addressed by Kiparsky and Mayrhofer. I think we must congratulate João Simões Lopes Filho (whose name won't come out right on my new computer) on a very felicitous idea. Sometimes this list does produce real progress. Let's have some more, Joao!