Re: [tied] Discussion of old english néotan and brúcan

--- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, "Brian M. Scott" <BMScott@...> wrote:

> And now I find obs. <nait> 'skilful, deft, effective' and
> <unnait> 'useless, unprofitable, vain', apparently from OIc
> <neytr> 'good, fit for use'; I suppose that the associated
> verb <neyta> reflects PGmc. *nautjan, as against *neutan?

And that accords well with phrases such as a 'neat idea'! What's the
likelihood of 'nait' being absorbed by 'neat' when and where they were
pronounced the same, e.g. Earlyish Modern English in London.

Richard.