Can anyone comment on the etymology of or PIE root behind Gk kalamos and
Latin culmus (both "reed", cognate with English haulm)?
When I look at proposed etymologies, I see forms like k'olm-, k'alH2m-,
and k'ol@..., and I can see the Greek form coming from kal- or the Latin
from kol-, but am having trouble seeing how the Latin form could come
from kal- or the Greek from kol-. The Germanic form must have been
*xalm-, which also suggests k'al-, but whence that Latin /u/ (presumably
from earlier /o/)?
Any thoughts?
Cheers,
Carl
--
Carl Edlund Anderson
mailto:
cea@...
http://www.carlaz.com/