Latin passer x Portuguese passaro

From: Joao S. Lopes
Message: 47764
Date: 2007-03-09

Is there a nice explanation for the origin of Portuguese passaro "bird"?
Latin passaro (paxaro in dialects and toponymy) = Spanish pajaro = Italian passero.

The source was Latin passer "sparrow", but Romance *passaru or *passeru has an odd vocalism, specially *passaru, that seems Greek or Celtic-like.

Passer ending is similar to anser (<*g^Heh2ns-is-), passer < *pass-is- < ?

Joao SL





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