[tied] Re: Interesting names in Sweden

> I think it's strange two common placename types should belong to very
> different semantic spheres. I propose therefore -løse is related to
> eg. German 'lösen', cf. 'erlösen' "redeem". So the -lev names are the
> property of a conquering Germanic-speaking invasion, the -løse names
> are the redeemed properties of the aboriginals.
>
> -lev is combined with non-Christian male names, -løse with difficult-
> to-interpret (non-Germanic?) morphemes. But perhaps Huan < *kvan, so
> that there were kvænir in Southern Scandinavia too?
>

Supposedly in -lev, -löv, -leben (Thuringia) ( < *leikW-) the -v- is
from -GW-, Verner-alternating with -xW- (German 'leihen'). I think I
recall that rule is controversial; another sign of the 'early' nature
of that root in Germanic (dialectal loan?).


Torsten