Re: Scientist's etymology vs. scientific etymology

--- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, "Brian M. Scott" <BMScott@...> wrote:

>
> At 7:39:10 PM on Thursday, June 5, 2008, tgpedersen wrote:
>
> > --- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, "Brian M. Scott"
> > <BMScott@> wrote:
>
> >> The spelling of Latin <butyrum> with <y> is a very good
> >> indication that it came from Greek.
>
> > Not quite, cf the Latin spelling lacryma.
>
> This makes no sense, unless you incorrectly imagine that 'a
> very good indication' is synonymous with 'ironclad proof'.
> (Though I shouldn't mind knowing how early the medieval
> spelling with <y> actually occurs.)

The spelling with <y> is an indication that whoever spelled the word
thought it came from Greek, like you do.


Torsten