Keightley's "Classical Mythology" (1854) has:
"The ordinary derivation of the word Siren is from [seira], a
chain, to signify their attractive power. To us the Semitic [Shir],
song, seems more likely to be the true root, and we regard them as
one of the wonders told of by the Phoenician mariners".
I'm sure the last word wasn't said in 1854, but there's a start
for you.
Dan
--- In
cybalist@yahoogroups.com, João Simões Lopes Filho
<jodan99@...> wrote:
> What is the etymology of Greek Seire:n?
> What is the oldest depiction of their? Bird-women, Bee-women or
fish-women ?
> Homerus didnt describe their physical apparence. They were
described as two beautiful girls.
>
> The same can be said about the Graiai. They were "beautiful-faced
swan-maidens", but also had "only one eye and only one tooth". It is
a contradition, isn'nt it?
>
>
> Joao SL