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ArchivesRe: Paris
in reply to a message by strawberrylove
As someone else said, the name of the mythological character is probably Luwian and, as you probably saw on Wikipedia, it may be related to the attested name Pari-zitis. I’m not a Luwian expert, but I’m interested in etymology. Here’s what I can find:
Pari: I can’t find a clear answer for this, so we’ll have to go to its better-documented relative, Hittite. Again, I’m FAR from being an etymology expert, so these are uneducated guesses based on sound only.
1. *parḫu-: Fish.
2. parāi: To blow (a horn); to blow on, fan (as fire); to blow up, inflate.
3. paḫḫur: Fire; torch, torches; campfire, watchfire; embers, burning coals; fever, inflammation, burning, pain.
4. pa-aḫ-sa: To protect, guard, defend; to observe (agreements), keep (oaths, a secret), obey (commands); to seek protection with.
5. parḫūwayas: Thought to mean fish, in the genitive singular form. It’s only been documented once.
Zitis: Means “man” in Luwian, as in an adult male or humanity as a whole, or “husband.” This seems certain.
Rusty Shackleford is my real identity. My name is not Katie.
Pari: I can’t find a clear answer for this, so we’ll have to go to its better-documented relative, Hittite. Again, I’m FAR from being an etymology expert, so these are uneducated guesses based on sound only.
1. *parḫu-: Fish.
2. parāi: To blow (a horn); to blow on, fan (as fire); to blow up, inflate.
3. paḫḫur: Fire; torch, torches; campfire, watchfire; embers, burning coals; fever, inflammation, burning, pain.
4. pa-aḫ-sa: To protect, guard, defend; to observe (agreements), keep (oaths, a secret), obey (commands); to seek protection with.
5. parḫūwayas: Thought to mean fish, in the genitive singular form. It’s only been documented once.
Zitis: Means “man” in Luwian, as in an adult male or humanity as a whole, or “husband.” This seems certain.
Rusty Shackleford is my real identity. My name is not Katie.
This message was edited 11/23/2017, 7:24 AM
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Replies
If the Luwian form is Parizitis, and zitis is "man", then perhaps his Greek name, Alexander, is simply a translation of the Luwian. For now we can't be certain.
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You know, I think you may be on to something. The Hittite word for “to defend” is pa-ah-ša, which comes from the PIE péh-s-ti (same meaning) which has the root *peh- (also the same meaning). The Luwian form is unknown, but I think this is a much more likely answer than anything else. Great job - you solved an ancient mystery!
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Thank you so much, this is so cool! I can't wait to tell my friend Paris that his name might mean 'fish man' in Luwian! :)
Do you use an online resource, or do you own a dictionary? Also, when you said pari didn't have a clear answer, does this mean you couldn't find a specifically Luwian definition?
Do you use an online resource, or do you own a dictionary? Also, when you said pari didn't have a clear answer, does this mean you couldn't find a specifically Luwian definition?
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I mostly used Wiktionary, and “no clear answer” means that etymologists don’t currently know what the Luwian word pari- means.
Based on a comment someone made below, I now think it’s most likely that pari- is related to the Hittite word for “to defend.” I give specifics in my reply to that comment, so definitely check it out.
I’m like 75% sure now that Paris is made up of the words for “defend” and “mankind,” so the meaning would be something like “defender of mankind.”
Based on a comment someone made below, I now think it’s most likely that pari- is related to the Hittite word for “to defend.” I give specifics in my reply to that comment, so definitely check it out.
I’m like 75% sure now that Paris is made up of the words for “defend” and “mankind,” so the meaning would be something like “defender of mankind.”
This message was edited 12/7/2017, 8:46 PM
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