--- In
cybalist@yahoogroups.com, stevepollington@... wrote:
>
> But have you considered the other -not/-not name: Fornet in the OE
> plant-name "fornetes folm"? I believe Bierbaumer had a not on this
in the Botanical Lexicon of OE books.
> Cheers
> Steve
>
Steve,
Thank you for that interesting idea. Upon searching I found the
mention in Bierbaumer's work and in Bosworth & Toller's AS dictionary.
They link Fornet with the giant Fornjot(r). Upon further searching in
Simek's Dictionary of Northern Mythology, a few more details were
uncovered.
The etymology seems uncertain - possibly Forn-jotr (Old Jutlander or
Proto-Giant), or Forn-thjotr (Old Bellower)
Other possibilities include For-njotr (Previos Owner; Previous/Old
Destroyer; or Delighter in sacrifices)
Simek points out that the 13th and 14th century spelling "Fior" in
some manuscripts, suggests people took Fiornjot as meaning "Life-
giant" (fior=life) and thus possibly equating Fiornjot with Ymir.
This gets more interesting if we consider Fornjot has 3 sons like
both Buri and Mannus do.............
AND that the plant "fornetes folm" is glossed as "Fornet's manus" =
Fornet's hand/palm.
Such a name makes one think of the severed hands of Tyr and Nuada.
Thus we now ponder ... is Fornet/Fornjotr =
Ymir/Tuisto/Fethuir/Fetebir ? or perhaps to Buri/Mannus/Alanus ?
Or even to Tyr and Nuada?
Certainly it is interesting to speculate though my wife will probably
rue your name due to the lack of sleep you will undoubtedly have
started!
Sincerely,
Aydan