Coracles

11th December 202211th December 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at words for coracles and related things in Celtic languages.

A coracle is a small, rounded, lightweight boat traditionally used in Wales; in parts of the West Country of England; in Ireland, particularly the River Boyne,and in Scotland, particularly the River Spey. A coracle is made of a framework of split and interwoven willow rods, tied with willow bark and traditionally covered with an animal skin such as horse or bullock hide, with a thin layer of tar to waterproof it. These days calico, canvas or fibreglass are used instead of animal hide. They are also known as curraghs in Scotland, and currachs in Ireland [source].

Proto-Celtic	*korukos = leather boat
Old Irish (Goídelc)	curach = coracle
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	curach = coracle, skiff, boat curchán = little coracle, boat, skiff
Irish (Gaeilge)	curach [kəˈɾˠax/ˈkʊɾˠəx/ˈkɤɾˠax] = currach, coracle curachán = small currach, small vehicle, (boat-shape) work-basket curachóir = currachman curachóireacht = rowing or paddling a currach
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	curach [kurəx] = coracle, curragh, frame (of a coracle or an animal), a boat made of wicker and covered with skins or hids curach Innseanach = canoe curach-àile = balloon (airship)
Manx (Gaelg)	curragh = coracle, canoe
Proto-Brythonic	*korug = coracle
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	corwc, corwgl, korwgyl, kwrwgyl = coracle
Welsh (Cymraeg)	corwg(l) [ˈkɔrʊɡ/ˈkoːrʊɡ] = coracle, skiff; vessel, drinking vessel cwrwgl = coracle
Cornish (Kerneweg)	koroug = coracle
Breton (Brezhoneg)	korac’h = coracle

Etymology: probably from the PIE *(s)koro- (leather), from *(s)ker- (to cut off) [source]. The English word coracle was borrowed from Welsh [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include cuir (leather) in French, cuero (leather, animal skin, hide) in Spanish and couro (leather, hide) in Portuguese [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Prison

9th December 20229th December 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at words for prisions and related things in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	carcar [ˈkarkar] = prison, captivity
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	carcar = prison, captivity, bondage, strong-room
Irish (Gaeilge)	carcair [ˈkaɾˠkəɾʲ] = prison, place of confinement; stall, pen
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	carcair [karxgɛrʲ] = prison, coffer, sink, sewer, hermit’s cell
Manx (Gaelg)	carchyr = imprisonment, jail carchyragh = gaolbird, prisoner
Proto-Brythonic	*karxar = prison, jail
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	karchar, carchar, carcar = prison, gaol karcharaur, carcharawr = prisoner
Welsh (Cymraeg)	carchar [ˈkarχar] = prison, gaol, pen, stable, bond, fetter, band, chain, hobble, restriction, obstruction, impediment, constipation carcharbwll = dungeon, prison-pit carchardy = prison house, gaol carchardig = imprisoned, incarcerated, confined carchardigaeth = imprisonment, confinement carchargell = prison cell carchariad = imprisonment, confinement carchariad, carcharor = prisoner carcharu = to imprison, impound, confine, shackle, fetter, hobble, restrict, obstruct
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	carhar = jail, prison
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	carchar, charc’har, karc’har = prison, jail karc’hariañ = to imprison karc’hariadigezh = imprisonment
Breton (Brezhoneg)	karc’har = dungeon karc’harel = prison karc’hariañ = to imprison karc’hariadigezh = imprisonment

Etymology: from Latin carcer (prison, jail, jailbird, beginning, starting gate), from Proto-Italic *karkos (enclosure, barrier), from PIE *kr̥-kr̥- (circular), a reduplication of *(s)ker- (to turn, bend) [source].

Words from the same Latin root include incarcerate in English, carcere (jail, prison, imprisonment) in Italian, cárcere (jail, prison) in Portuguese, kerker (dungeon) in Dutch, and карцер (lockup, punishment cell, sweatbox) in Russian [source].

English words from the same PIE roots include circle, circus, corona, crisp, cross, crown and ring [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	prísún, brísún = prison prísúntacht = imprisonment
Irish (Gaeilge)	príosún [ˈpʲɾʲiːsˠuːn̪ˠ] = prison, imprisonment príosúnach = prisoner príosúnacht = imprisonment príosúnaigh = to imprison príosúnú = imprisonment
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	prìosan [prʲiːsən] = prison, jail prìosanach = prisoner prìosanachadh = imprisoning, incarcerating
Manx (Gaelg)	pryssoon = brig, gaol, glasshouse, jail, lock-up, penitentiary, prison, clink pryssoonagh = captive, detainee, internee, prisoner pryssoonaght = detention, imprisonment, incarceration pryssooneyder = gaoler imprisoner
Cornish (Kernewek)	prison = gaol, jail, prison prisonya = to imprison, incarcerate prisonyans = imprisonment
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	prizon = prison, jail prizoniad = prisoner, detained prizoniadur, prizonierezh = imprisonment prizon(i)añ = to imprison prizon(i)er = prisoner
Breton (Brezhoneg)	prizon = prison, jail prizoniad = prisoner, detained prizoniañ = to imprison

Etymology: from the Middle English prisoun (prison, jail, dungeon), from the Anglo-Norman pris(o)un (prison, jail, dungeon), from the Old French prison (prison) from the Latin prehensiō (seizing, apprehending, arresting, capturing), from prehendō (to seize). The Breton probably comes directly from Old French [source].

Boots and Shoes

3rd December 20223rd December 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at words for boots, shoes and related things in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	bróc(c) [broːɡ] = shoe, sandal, greave; (in plural) greaces, leggings, hose, breeches
Irish (Gaeilge)	bróg [bˠɾˠoːɡ/bˠɾˠɔːɡ] = boot, shoe bróg ard = boot bróg iseal = shoe bróg adhmaid/mhaide = clog brógchrann = boot-tree
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bròg [brɔːg] = shoe, boot, hoof brògair [brɔːgɪrʲ] = shoemaker, cobbler brògach [brɔxgəx] = abounding in shoes, shod, strong-hoofed, animal with “socks” bròg-fhiodha = clog, wooden shoe brògan put = football boots bròg-eich = horseshoe bròg-spéilidh = ice skate bròg na cuthaige = bluebell, wild hyacinth (“shoe of the cuckoo”) cho sona ri bròg = as happy as Larry (“as happy as a shoe”)
Manx (Gaelg)	braag = brogue, shoe braagit = shod braag lheiltys = gym shoe braag shliawin = ice skate braag vaidjagh = clog
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brog = brogue brog Gwyddelig = Irish brogue

Etymology: from the Old Norse brók (trousers, breeches) or the Old English brōc (underpants), both of which come from the Proto-Germanic *brōks (rear end, rump, leggings, pants, trousers), from the PIE *bʰreg- (to break, crack, split) [source].

The English word brogue was borrowed from Irish and refers to a type of shoe, or a strong accent, particularly a strong Irish accent when speaking English, although it originally referred to Irish spoken with a strong English accent, or a heavy shoe of untanned leather.

Brogue in the sense of accent might come from the Irish word barróg (hug, wrestling grip, brogue, impediment of speech) [source], which comes from the Old Irish barróc (fast hold, tight grip, embrace, gripe, stitch) [source],

Proto-Celtic	*fesskūtā = (leather) boot, shoe
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	eskyd, eskit, escid = boot, buskin, shoe
Welsh (Cymraeg)	esgid [ˈɛskɪd] = boot, buskin, shoe esgidiaf, esgidio = to put on one’s boots or shoes, to shoe esgidiedig / esgidiog = shod esgidiwr = shoemaker, bootmaker esgidiau blewog = fur-lined boots esgidau byclau = buckled shoes esgidiau eira = show boots/shoes esgidiau nos = slippers esgid(iau) Gwyddel(od) = brogue(s) esgid goed, esgidiau coed = wooden-soled shoes, clogs esgidiau’r gog/gwcw = Bluebell, Wild Hyacinth
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	escid, esgis, eskas = shoe
Cornish (Kernewek)	eskis = shoe eskis sport = trainer, sports shoe eskisyow kron = slingbacks

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ped-skuHto-, from *ped- (to walk, step) and *skuH-t- (skin, hide) [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cúarán = shoe, sock
Irish (Gaeilge)	cuarán = sandal
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cuaran [kuəran] = sandal, bangage, toecap, sock
Manx (Gaelg)	carrane = hide sandal, sandal, slipper
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cuaran, kuaran, curan = boot, buskin
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cu(a)ran, cwaran = boot, buskin curanog = buskined

Etymology: the Welsh words were borrowed from Irish. The words in the other languages possibly come from the Middle Irish cúar (curved, bent, crooked) from the Proto-Celtic *kukro- (curved), from the Proto-Indo-European *kewk- (to elevate, height) [source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bòtann [bɔːhdən̪ˠ] = boot (esp. rubber boot, wellington) bòtais [bɔːhdɪʃ] = boot bùtais [buːhdɪʃ] = boot
Manx (Gaelg)	bootys = boot
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	botys, botes, botas, bottas = greave(s), shackle, boot, wader
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bot(i)as, bwtias = greave(s), shackle, boot, wader botasbren = bootjack, boot-tree botasog = wearing boots or greaves botaswr = bootmaker, shoemaker
Cornish (Kernewek)	botas = boot botas palvek = flippers botas stanch = wellies
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	botez, botes, botés = shoe
Breton (Brezhoneg)	botez = shoe, clog botour = shoemaker, cobbler botaouiñ = to shoe botez-prenn = clog, wooden shoe botezioù = hoof, sole

Etymology: (via English) from the Old French bote (boot), from the Frankish *butt, from Proto-Germanic *but(t)az (cut off, short, numb, blunt), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰewt-/*bʰewd- (to strike, push, shock”) [source].

Foreheads

2nd December 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at words for foreheads, brows and related things in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	étan = brow, forehead
Irish (Gaeilge)	éadan [ˈeːd̪ˠənˠ] = front, face, forehead, flat surface, facet, end éadanán = headstall éadanchlár = fascia in éadan = against, opposed to as éadan = one by one, in (rapid) succession, indiscriminately
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aodann [ɯːdən̪ˠ] = face, front, dial aodannan = little face, mask, frontispiece aodann-clò = typeface aodann-fuadain = mask dà-aodannach = two-faced, double-skinned (in architecture)
Manx (Gaelg)	eddin = apron (of a dam), rockface, countenance, dial, disc, facade, face, facet, facial, fascia, front, frontage far-eddin = mask eddin harroo = sour-faced

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ent- (forehead) [source].

Words from the same root include end, answer and antimony in English, and ante (before, earlier, instead of) in Italian [source].

Proto-Celtic	*talu = front, forehead
Gaulish	*talu = ?
Celtiberian	talukokum = ?
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tul, taul, tel, til = protruberance, projecting part, swelling, boss of a shield
Irish (Gaeilge)	tul = protuberance, prominence, front, forehead tulach = low hill, hillock, mound tulán = protuberance, mound, knoll, hummock
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tul [tul̪ˠ] = face
Manx (Gaelg)	tool = ? tool-vuilley = forehand stroke
Proto-Brythonic	*tal
Old Welsh	tal = end
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tal = end
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tâl [taːl] = end (of an object), gable end, extremity, top, side, edge, rampart, front, face (of shield), forehead, brow, head tâl bainc, talbainc = end of bench, place of honour, best kind, first class ar dâl = at the top, end, by the side, near talaith = state, province, district, area, principality talar = headland (of ploughed field), boundary talaraf, talaru = to reach the headland, set a boundary
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tal = the front, forehead, end, top
Cornish (Kernewek)	tal = brow, forehead, front, temple talar = headland talgamma = to frown plegya tal = to frown, knit one’s brows
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tal = forehead taleg = sb with a big forehead
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tal = face, forehead

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *telh₂- (ground, bottom), or from *teHlu- [source].

Sticks and Rods

24th November 202224th November 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at words for sticks, rods and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*slattā = staff, stalk
Old Irish (Goídelc)	slat = rod, lath, twig; ceremonial rod, staff; branch of a tree; scion, youth, stripling; yard (measure of length)
Irish (Gaeilge)	slat [sˠl̪ˠɑt̪ˠ/sˠlˠat̪ˠ] = rod, slender stick, cane, switch, wand, yard, outskirts slatach = rodlike, made of rods, wickered slatáil = beat with a switch or birch slataire = slip (of a person), sapling, tall supple youth slatamáil = (act of) birching slatfhear = slender supple man slatóg = small rod, twig
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	slat [sl̪ˠahd] = long stick, rod, yard (measure), penis slatag = small branch, twig slat Ghàidhealach = Highland yard (8′) slat-tomhais = standard, yardstick slatan-draoidheachd = magic wand, fairy wand
Manx (Gaelg)	slat(t) = batten, birch, cane, mace, rail, rod, slat, stem, switch, verge, wand slat hendreil = lightning-rod slat hows(h)e = criterion, yardstick slat hummee = dipper, dipstick slattag = perch, small rod, small stick, stripe, swizzle stick, twig
Proto-Brythonic	*llaθ = rod, staff, stick, spear, beam, rafter, pole
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	lath = rod, staff, wand, stick
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llath [ɬaːθ] = rod, staff, wand, stick, lath, spear, lance, spar, rafter, beam, offshoot, descendant llath Gymreig = Welsh yard (about 40 inches) llathaid = yard’s length, yardstick, length of rod, pole or perch, square yard lathen = rod, wand, staff, stick, lath llathennaf, llathennu = to measure, be critical (of) hudlath = magic wand
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	lath = hook, hinge
Cornish (Kernewek)	lath = stick, staff, yard
Old Breton	lath = pole, rod
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	lazh, laz, lah = pole, rod
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lazh = slat (of a plough), board, batten

Etymology: unknown – possibly from a substrate language of northwestern Europe [source].

Words that may be related include lath (a thin, narrow strip, fastened to the rafters) in English, Latte (batten, lath, slat) in German, lat (slate, lath, ruler, yardstick) in Dutch, and lata (can, tin, plate) in Spanish [source].

Hooks and Crooks

17th November 202217th November 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at hooks, crooks and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*bakkos = hook, (curved) stick
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bacc = angle, bill-hook, corner, hindrance, mattock
Irish (Gaeilge)	bac = balk, hindrance, barrier, mattock, bend (in a river), (door) step bacadh = to balk, hindrance bacainn = barrier, obstruction, obstacle, blocking bacainneach = barring, obstructing, blocking bacán = hinge-hook, crook, peg bacánach = crooke, hinged
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bac [baxg] = hindering, impeding, obstructing, restraining, restricting, hindrance bacadh = to hinder, impede, obstruct, restain, restrict, ban
Manx (Gaelg)	bac = balk, disability, disqualification, drawback, handicap, moratorium, objection, obstacle, pull back, snag, trap
Old Welsh	bach = hook, grapple, mattock
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bach = hook, grapple, mattock
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bach [baːχ] = hook, grapple, mattock, hoe, fish hook, shepherd’s crook; hinge, pivot; nook, angle, corner, bend bachiad = a hooking, turning, curving, winding, bending bachog = hooked, barded, grabbing, grasping, greedy bachogrwydd = hookedness, crookedness, incisiveness bachol = hooking, grappling, grabbing, grasping, greedy bachu = to hook, anchor, connect, attach, fasten
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bah = hook, hinge
Cornish (Kernewek)	bagh = hook bagha = to trap
Old Breton	bah = hook
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bach, bac’h = hook for uprooting potatoes or seaweed, big hook bac’hig = little fang, hook, staple
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bac’h = (fish) hook

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bak- (peg, club) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include bachall (crook, crozier) in Irish, bagl (crook, crozier) in Welsh, pail in English, and possibly bok (side, flank, hip) in Czech, Polish and Slovak [source].

Up Above

10th November 202210th November 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at up, over, above and related words in Celtic languages.

A quiet day on the summit of Snowden / Dydd tawel ar gopa’r Wyddfa

Proto-Celtic	ouxsos = above ouxselos = high, elevated
Gaulish	*uxelos = high, elevated
Old Irish (Goídelc)	úas [uːa̯s] = above, over anúas [aˈn͈uːa̯s] = from above súas = up, upwards, back (in time), forward on (in time), túas = up, above, of heaven, above (mentioned) úasal = high, lofty, noble, high-born, gallant, genteel, honourable
Irish (Gaeilge)	suas [ˈɡaɾʲəmʲ/ˈɡɪɾʲəmʲ] = up, to higher place or station, at, towards, a high level, to the south, onwards, backwards, on high, risen anuas = down (from above) thuas = up, in higher place, in the south, put up, on top, successful, profiting uasal [ˈuəsˠəlˠ] = noble, high-born, aristocratic, gentle, gallant, genteel, lofty, precious, fine, hallowed, enchanted, inhabited by fairies na huaisle the good people, the fairies
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	suas [suəs] = up, upwards, upright, standing shuas [huəs] = above, aloft up (location), upper a-nuas [əˈn̪ˠuəs] = down(wards) / up(wards) – towards the speaker uasal [uəsəl̪ˠ] = noble, nobleman, nobility, high-minded, genteel
Manx (Gaelg)	seose = heavenwards, up, upward, upwards heose = above, aloft, up, upper neose = down, downward, downwards ooasle = aristocratic, classy, creditable, dignified, esteemed, gentlemanly, goodly, highborn, honourable, illustrious, lofty, lordly, magnificent, noble, respected
Brythonic	ʉx [ˈʉːx] = above, on top of, over ʉxel [ʉˈxɛːlˑ] = high, elevated
Old Welsh	uuc = above, on top of, over
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	uch = above, on top of, over uchel = shigh, tall, exalted
Welsh (Cymraeg)	uwch [ɨ̞u̯χ/ɪu̯χ] = above, on top of, over, on, beyond, in front of uchel [ˈɨ̞χɛl/ˈiːχɛl] = high, tall, exalted, important, solemn, sublime, splendid, excellent, noble, stately, respectable, commendable uchelder = high place, height, highness, nobility uchelaf, uchelu = to raise, heighten, exalt, increase uchelwr = landed, proprietor, freeholder, landlord, gentleman, nobelman, aristocrat, a superior
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	uhel = high, lofty, elevated uhelder = height, highness uhelle = to raise up on high, to exalt
Cornish (Kernewek)	a-ugh = above a-ugh dhe = over ughel = high, grand, loud, tall ughelder = height, loudness
Old Breton	uh = on high uchel = high
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	uc’h = on high uhel = high, noble, generous uhelaat = to increase, rise in the sky, raise uheladur = to shrug, enhancement uhelañ = the highest point
Breton (Brezhoneg)	uhel [ˈy.ɛl] = high, uphill, upstream uhelaat = to promote uc’hek = maximal

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃ewpso- (above) from *h₃ewps- (high, elevated) [source].

Hosts of Folks

3rd November 20223rd November 2022 By Simon

Today we’re gathering some people, folk, crew and related word in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*worīnā = band, troop, a group of warriors who have sworn allegiance (to each other)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	foirenn = band, troop, group of people
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	foirenn = an indefinite number of people, set, group, category, band, troop, company, crew (of a ship)
Irish (Gaeilge)	foireann [ˈfˠɪɾʲən̪ˠ] = number, group of people, band, troop, company, crew, team, personnel, staff, set foireann loinge = crew of a ship foireann spéirbhean = bevy of beauties foireann dráma = cast of a play foireann uirlisí = set of tools foireann dinnéir = dinner-service foireann fichille = set of chessmen
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	foireann [furʲən̪ˠ] = excess, abundance, crowd, multitude (ship’s) crew, ballast, furniture
Manx (Gaelg)	fwirran = staff, team fwirran bluckan-coshey = football team fwirran buird = dinner service fwirran meihaaghyn = set of weights fwirran skynnaghyn = canteen (of cutlery)
Proto-Brythonic	*gwörin = group of people
Old Welsh	guerin = host, group of people
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwerin = people, populace, peasantry, folk
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwerin [ˈɡwɛrɪn] = people, populace, peasantry, folk, democracy, proletariat, liegemen; mob, rabble, troop, throng, host, multitude, rank and file of army, nation, ship’s crew gwerinaf, gwerino = to render plebeian or common, to popularize, civilize, tame, arrange for battle, marshal gwerinaidd = plebeian, lowly, humble, common, vulgar (speech), dialect, home-spun, democratic, proletarian gwerindod = civilization, domestication gwerinwr = commoner, peasant, democrate, republican gweriniaeth = democracy, republic(anism), community
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwerin = common people, folk, proletariat gwerinek = proletarian gwerinel = democratic gwerinieth = democracy gweriniether / gweriniethores = democrat gwerinor(es) = peasant lien gwerin = folklore
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	gwerin, gueryn = people gwerinad = plebeian gwerinel = democratic gwerinelaat = to become more democratic gwerinelañ = to democraticize gwerineler, gwerinelour = democrat gwerinelezh, gweriniezh = democracy
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwerin = pleb, pawn gwerinad, gwerinel = plebeian

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *wori-no- (flock, troop) [source].

Halloween

31st October 202231st October 2022 By Simon

Words for Halloween, November and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	samonios, samoni- = assembly, (feast of the) first month of the year
Gaulish	samoni- = assembly, (feast of the) first month of the year
Old Irish (Goídelc)	samain [ˈsaṽinʲ] = Halloween, November, All Saint’s Day, All Hallows, Samhain
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	samain, samḟuin = first November, the festival held on that date, All Saints’ Day, All Hallows idchi samna = the eve of samain
Irish (Gaeilge)	Samhain [sˠaunʲ/sˠəunʲ/ˈsˠãuwənʲ] = Halloween, November, All Saint’s Day, All Hallows, Samhain Mí na Samhna = (month of) November Oíche Shamhna = Halloween Lá Samhna = first November, All Hallows Lá Sean-Samhna = 12th November
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	Samhain [ˈsãũ.ɪn̪ʲ] = All Saints’ Day, All Souls’ Day An t-Samhain [ən̪ tãũ.ɪn̪ʲ] = November Oidhche Shamhna = Halloween bó-Shamhna = Halloween cow (cow killed at Halloween for a winter supply of beef) samhnag [sãũnag] = Halloween bonfire samhnair [sãũnɛrʲ] = Halloween guiser/mummer
Manx (Gaelg)	Sauin [ˈsoːɪnʲ] = November, Hollantide Souney = All Hallow’s Day, Hollantide Day Laa Souney = November Mee Houney = November Oie Houney = All Hallow’s Eve, Hallowe’en, Hollandtide Eve, Hop tu Naa veih Sauin gys Boaldyn = long-winded (from Samhain to Beltane) cro souney = horse chestnut

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *sem- (together, one), or from the Proto-Celtic *samo- (summer) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	callan = calends
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	callann = calends, first day of the month
Irish (Gaeilge)	caileann = calends Lá Caille = New Year’s Day
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cailindha = calends (of a month)
Manx (Gaelg)	Caillyn = calends
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kalan = first day of the year, New Year’s day, first day of each month, calends Kalan Gayaf = All hallows’ day, All Saints’ day, first of November
Welsh (Cymraeg)	calan [ˈkalan/ˈkaːlan] = first day of the year, New Year’s day, first day of each month, calends Calan Gaeaf = All hallows’ day, All Saints’ day, first of November nos Galan Gaeaf = Halloween calannig [kaˈlɛnɪɡ/ˈklɛnɪɡ] = gift given at New Year, (Christmas) present
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	calan = the calends, first day of the month Calan gauav = first November Deu halan gûav = All Saints’ Day, the calends of winter Dydh Calan = New Year’s Day
Cornish (Kernewek)	kalan = calends, first of the month Kalan Genver = New Year’s Day Kalan Gwav = All Hallows Dy’ Halan Gwav = Saint Allan’s Day, Feast of Saint Allan (day of the first day of winter) Nos Kalan Gwav = Allantide (eve of the first day of winter)
Middle Breton	kaland = calends kal, kala = first day of the month kala-bloaz = first day of the year kala-goañv = first November kal-ar-goañv, Kalar goan, kal ar goañ = All Saints’ Day, first November
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kala = calends, first day of the month kala-bloaz = first day of the year kala-goañv, Kalan Goañv = first November

Etymology: from the Vulgar Latin calandae (calends, the first day of the month) from the Latin kalendae (calends, the first day of the month), from calō (I call, announce solemnly, call out) from the Proto-Italic *kalēō from the Proto-Indo-European *kelh₁- (to call, summon) [source].

Words from calendar many languages, including English, come from the same roots, via the Latin calendārium (account book, debt book) [source].

Details of Celtic traditions associated with this time of year:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhain
https://ga.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lá_Samhna
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hop-tu-Naa
https://gv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hop-tu-Naa
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween
https://cy.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gŵyl Calan Gaeaf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allantide

Heels

28th October 202229th October 2022 By Simon

Words for heel and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	stātlā / stādlā = heel
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sál [saːl] = heel
Irish (Gaeilge)	sáil [sˠɑːlʲ/sˠæːlʲ] = heel sáilchaite = down at heel sála arda = high heels
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sàil [saːl] = heel, boot, trunk (of car) sàileach [saːləx] = heel-like, having heels, heeled sàil bhiorach = high heel gu mo shàil = (come to) heel! (dog command)
Manx (Gaelg)	saayl = heel, tree, tip, sale, skid saayltrey = to heel in, trampling, treading saayltraghey = to tread on with heel saayl-cheaut = down at heel
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	saudel = heel oet = time, period
Welsh (Cymraeg)	sawdl [sau̯dl/ˈsau̯dʊl] = heel soldlaf, sodli, sodlu, sodlo = to heel (a shoe or sock), trip (sb) up, take to one’s heels, run (away), go sodliad = a kick with the heel, tripping sodlog = (high-)heeled sodlwr, sawdlwr = heeler (of shoes), shadower, one who follows at the heels sodlau uchel = high heels disodli = to displace, supplant
Cornish (Kernewek)	seudhel [ˈsœðɛl / ˈzɛðɐl] = heel seudhelyow ughel = high heels
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	seuzl = heel
Breton (Brezhoneg)	seul = heel seulad = substrate seulañ = to heel seulenn = heel pad seuler = hooker seul an dorn = heel of the hand seul pik = stiletto heel seulioù uhel = high heels

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *stéh₂tleh₂ / *stéh₂dʰleh₂ (that which is used for standing), from *steh₂- (to stand) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*bundos = foot, hoof, sole
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bonn = foot, hoof, sole
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bonn = sole of the foot, foot, hoof
Irish (Gaeilge)	bonn [bˠoun̪ˠ/bˠuːn̪ˠ/bˠʌn̪ˠ] = sole (of foot), footing, foothold, base, foundation, footmark, spoor, tyre, backing bonnaigh = to walk, trot bonnaire = walker, trotter, footman, foot messenger bonnaireacht = walking, trotting
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bonn [bɔun̪ˠ] = base, bottom, foundation, lowest, part, sole (of a shore), foot (of a hill) bonntachadh [bɔun̪ˠdəxəɣ] = (act of) basing, establishing, consolidating, base, foundation, farmstead, homestead bonntaichte [bɔun̪ˠdɪçdʲə] = based, established, consolidated
Manx (Gaelg)	boyn = heel, walker, foot of sail, tread of shoe, basement, medal

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰudʰmḗn (bottom), from *dʰewbʰ-/*dʰubʰ- (deep) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include fund in English; fondo (bottom, fund, background); and fond (back, bottom, fund, foundation) in French [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Breton (Brezhoneg)