Dan:
> I thought /mundus/ 'world' was a calque on Greek /kosmos/, both
> with a primary meaning something like "set in order".
> Is the Etruscan theory your own?
What "Etruscan theory"? That Latin /mundus/ is from Etruscan /muntH/?
No. All you have to do is look up "mundus etruscan" in a search engine
and all these links reaffirm that idea:
http://www.deliciousitaly.com/Etruscan.htm
"The word 'mundus' is of Etruscan origin and refers to the place
where the soul returns following death." (ie: the earth)
http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/bmcr/1997/97.03.26.html
"This latter interpretation probably resulted from the fact that
the term Mundus actually derived from or was equated with Etruscan
mun, muni = 'underground chamber', 'tomb'."
There are many other links but I won't bore. The view seems to be a
standard one both online and in sources I've read in the library on
Etruscans. I know of no possible IE etymology of /mundus/ either. I've
never heard of your view before. Where do you get "set in order" in
Latin? Are you relating the word to /manere/ "to remain", /mandere/
"to chew" or /mundare/ "to clean" by chance? Very odd.
What in the mundus are you talking about? :)
= gLeN