--- In
cybalist@yahoogroups.com, "Andrew Jarrette" <anjarrette@...>
wrote:
>
> The etymology of Thai <thawit> as from Sanskrit <dvija> strikes me
> as false, especially since there is little semantic correspondence
> (unless the "bird" referred to is the Phoenix? How are brahmins
> twice-born, and why didn't they borrow <brahmin> instead?).
It's a Sanskrit pun.
Brahmins are twice born when they receive their sacred thread
in a ceremony symbolizing their official entry into the caste,
with the first birth being their natural birth.
Birds are twice born when they hatch from their egg, with the
first birth being the laying of their egg.
'Dvija' may also mean 'tooth'. Can you guess why? :^)
David