'auk' is the most common runic spelling - but given the fact that 'o' was
dropped so 'ok' was not possible, that is not cast iorn proof for 'auk'.

Cleasby Vigfusson thinks its from a cognate of Gothic jah (with loss of
initial j and k from the 'h' - the phonteic sound looks like an X but is a
guttural 'ch' sound.

German and English have 'und' and 'and' - so no help there.

Also manuscripts use a shorthand type symbol for and, so once again no help
there...

This is quite a hard question.

But I think it may be best to look towards the other languages for possible
answers rather than later Old Norse forms, as they have often been altered
during the transitional period and so can be missleading.

Cheers
Stuntie.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: konrad_oddsson <konrad_oddsson@...>
> [mailto:konrad_oddsson@...]
> Sent: 18 February 2003 12:46
> To: norse_course@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [norse_course] Ok hvaðan er 'ok' ? - Það er spurningin - a
> short quiz
>
>
> What is the true origin of the most common word in every modern
> Scandinavian language? What is the origin of the common conjuction
> 'ok'? - Það er spurningin (That is the question)
>
> On the Stone at 'Eggjum' (650-800) in Norway, we see that this word
> is spelled 'uk'. The inscriber could have spelled it 'ok', as O/Ó
> was still in the alphabet and is used many times for other words in
> the same inscription. On the other hand, on the Stone at Glavendrup
> (900-925) in Denmark we see that this word is spelled 'auk'. Which
> spelling most accurately represents the true origin of the word?
>
> Here are some clues:
>
> 'Ok' could be derived from the verb 'auka', meaning to 'increase'.
> If this is correct, then the phrase 'Jón ok Páll' (John and Paul)
> would literally translate as 'John increase Paul'.
>
> 'Ok' could be derived from the verb 'oka', meaning to 'harness' or
> to 'yoke'. The verb is derived from Proto-Norse *yuka. If this is
> correct, then the phrase 'Jón ok Páll' (John and Paul) would
> literally translate as 'John yoke Paul'.
>
> In either case, the meaning is clear. Here is the question again:
> which is the true origin of this most common word in any modern
> Scandinavian language? Is it 'uk' or is it 'auk'?
>
> - Það er spurningin (That is the question). Whoever answers this
> this question wins the Norse grand linguistics prize. Please post
> your answers and any information you can find about this online.
>
> Regards,
> Konrad.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Sumir hafa kvæði...
> ...aðrir spakmæli.
>
> - Keth
>
> Homepage: http://www.hi.is/~haukurth/norse/
>
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