Slav - Slovene + some humor

From: Cohen, Izzy
Message: 6485
Date: 2001-03-09

Slav [1350-1400; ME Sclave < ML Sclavus, Slavus, akin
to LGk Sklábos < a Slavic ethnonym, perh. orig. a name
for all Slavic tribes (cf. SLOVAK, SLOVENE,
ORuss Slovene an East Slavic tribe)]

In the same sense that the Greeks do not use the term
Greek to refer to themselves, it may be that "Slav" is
not a Slavic term.

If this term were Semitic, it would have an interesting
meaning: a Crusader, or literally, one who carries a cross.

tzadi-lamed-vet TZaLaV = a cross
tzadi-lamed-bet-nun TZaLBaN = Crusader

This term need not refer to the first Crusade
in 1095-1099. It may simply refer to the first
early Christians in that part of Europe. Of course,
if this term existed before the advent of Christianity,
then my supposition would be false.

It will soon be time for my annual Easter joke.
Here it is, a bit early. :-)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Nails for Every Purpose
=======================

Old man Moskowitz was getting along in years. He decided to retire
and let his 3 sons run the company (which manufactured a wide variety
of nails). The sons thought they could increase market-share with some
judicious billboard advertising.

Only a week later the old man was taking his usual Sunday drive in the
country when he saw the first billboard ad. There it was -- a picture
of Christ on the Cross, with the caption: "Nails for Every Purpose.
Use Moskowitz Nails."

The old man immediately met with his 3 sons to voice his concern. He
explained that the backlash could be horrendous. The company could be
ruined. The sons agreed to discontinue that ad.

A week later the old man was again taking his usual Sunday drive when
he saw the second billboard ad. There it was -- a picture of the same
cross, empty, with Christ crumpled on the ground below... and the caption:
"Next Time Use Moskowitz Nails."


CROSS-words

auxiliary < L auxili = aid, help
< heh/alef-tzadi-yod-lamed = save, rescue / arm of person

coerce (not < L co + arcere = hold in, restrain)
< kaf-oh-resh-het korakh = compulsion, necessity

cross (a river)
~ reverse of tzadi-lamed-het tzalakh = cross a lake or river (lamed > R)
(unreversed, this word is related to shallow via Germanic;
one crosses the river where the water is shallow)

cross (ill-tempered)
< reverse of tzadi-lamed-het-heh tzilkhah = migrane, headache, ill-tempered
(lamed > R)

cross = angry < ME, late OE cros < ON kross < OIr cros (not < L crux)
< kuf-aiyin-samekh/sin ca(cr)as = to be indignant, be vexed, to be angry;
vexation, grief; anger (velar aiyin > CR)

cross < OE cros < ON kross < OIr cros < Celtic < L crux
< abbreviation of yod-tzadi-lamed-vet (cr)itzalayv = to cross

cross (my) heart ~ yod-tzadi-lamed-vet (cr)itzalayv = to make the sign of
the cross
(transliteration) (yod > CR) + heart (translation of layv)

cross legs < aiyin-resh-samekh-lamed (cr)irsayl = cross legs, fold (aiyin >
CR)

crucial (not < L crux = cross + al) < aiyin-yod-kuf-resh ikar = crux,
essential point
~ aiyin-kuf-tzadi aketz = point

crucifix, crucify, crusade, crux = a cross < LL crucifixus < L crucifigere =
to crucify
< crux = a cross; scaffold used in executions, torment
trans: tzadi-lamed-(oo)-vet <? shadow + heart

crux = a perplexing and unresolved difficulty; central or pivotal point,
essence
< NL crux interpretum = difficult passage in a text
< aiyin-kuf-tzadi okaytz = TH crucial point; thorn (of bush), sting (of
bee),
point (of needle), stalk (of apple)

salvation < ME salvatioun < LL salvatio < salvare = to save
~ tzadi-lamed-vet tzalav = crucify; tz'lav = a cross
~ samekh-lamed-het sala(w)a = forgive hetW
Num 14:19, Deut 29:19, Amos 7:2, Dan 9:19, Lam 3:42

savior < ME saveour, sauveur < OF sauvëour
< tzadi-vet-resh tzavar = savior

shallow < ME schalowe ~ OE sceald = shallow
< tzadi-lamed-het tzala(w) = cross a lake or river (where it is shallow)
het>W;
~ tzadi-lamed-het-heh/saf tzala(x)a(s) = dish, shallow bowl, plate, saucer
het>X
(see calix, chalice, kylix, cross river)

izzy_cohen@...