From: Anthony M. Miles (theophilus88@hotmail.com)
Date: Thu Jul 24 2003 - 01:10:13 EST
>From: John Cowan <jcowan@reutershealth.com>
>Reply-To: romanceconlang@yahoogroups.com
>To: romanceconlang@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: Re: [romanceconlang] More Guanche Words
>Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2003 07:24:25 -0400
>
>habarakhe4 scripsit:
>
> > [wirmas] > huirm(ax) [wirm] booties or averages (?)
>
>The word "average" has an interesting tale to tell. It originally
>meant "damage to ship or cargo" < MFr _avarie_ < OIt _avaria <
>Arabic _awa:ri:yah_, all of the same meaning. Because such damage
>was allocated to all who shipped cargo in proportion to the value
>of their cargo, the word came to have its present mathematical
>meaning. So "booty" (pirate loot) and "average" are indeed connected.
>
>--
>And through this revolting graveyard of the universe the muffled, maddening
>beating of drums, and thin, monotonous whine of blasphemous flutes from
>inconceivable, unlighted chambers beyond Time; the detestable pounding
>and piping whereunto dance slowly, awkwardly, and absurdly the gigantic
>tenebrous ultimate gods -- the blind, voiceless, mindless gargoyles whose
>soul
>is Nyarlathotep. (Lovecraft) John
>Cowan|jcowan@reutershealth.com|ccil.org/~cowan
>
Given the initial lack of piracy in the Fortunate Islands, I've chosen the
"damage" meaning.
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