[tied] Re: hades (Perkele)

From: Peter P
Message: 20817
Date: 2003-04-06

--- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, "Daniel J. Milton" <dmilt1896@...>
wrote:
> *******
> THe Finnish Devil 'Perkele'. Is his name borrowed from the
> Baltic?

Here is a snip from a Finnish Neswpaper. I may not be exactly
academic but possibly interesting.

"One of the principal gods of ancient Lithuanians was Perkunas
(Perkons in Latvia), the god of thunder, fire, and warriors. The name
is the same as the Finnish perkele - one of the many colourful
expressions for the devil, and a sign of the close ties between
ancient Balts and Finno-Ugrian peoples.
Though Perkunas is a positive character, his name is also used
for swearing: "May Perkunas strike you down!"

The article is here;
http://www.helsinki-hs.net/news.asp?id=20001121IE9

Peter