Re: [tied] 5, finger, fist, ?fight

From: Simona Klemencic
Message: 32757
Date: 2004-05-19

I found this explanation in Marko Snoj's Slovenski etimološki slovar (2003: 508) and in France Bezlaj's Etimološki slovar slovenskega jezika III: 28 (also by Snoj). He cites Klingenschmitt in publication Lautgeschichte und Etymologie. Akten der VI. Fachtagung der Indogermanischen Gesellschaft. Wien, 24.-29. September 1978. Editors: M. Mayrhofer, M. Peters, O. E. Pfeiffer. Wiesbaden 1980. Page: 214.
 
Simona
-----Original Message-----
From: Marc Verhaegen [mailto:marc.verhaegen@...]
Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2004 10:30 PM
To: cybalist@yahoogroups.com
Cc: simona.klemencic@...
Subject: [tied] 5, finger, fist, ?fight

>> I just read (Science 303:1322, 27.2.04) that the words "five", "fist" and
"finger" have a common origin. Where can I find more about this? Are these
words related to the word "fight"? Thanks for any help.

> One explanation of English fist, Geman Faust, OCS pestI "fist" is: IE
*pNkwsth2i- from *penkwe- "five" and *stah2- "stand", ie. "five (fingers)
stand together".

Nice explanation. Thanks a lot, Simona. Do you happen to know where I can
find more about this?

--Marc