Comments on: Good God and Etymology http://blog.oup.com/2009/11/good-god-and-etymology/ Academic insights for the thinking world. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:14:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: JAY http://blog.oup.com/2009/11/good-god-and-etymology/comment-page-1/#comment-170368 JAY Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:21:23 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=6209#comment-170368 While etymology may deny any relationship beween good and god, there is a clear relationship in theology. Those who began languages were not the only ones who could create relationships. Since there is a clear pentiant to see a relaionship between good and god since meideval times, why can't we declare a relationship on our own, resulting from current Christian theology? If it is legitimate to say in Christian theology, "God IS good" the intransitive verb "is" identifies the subject of the sentence with the object of the sentence. While etymology may deny any relationship beween good and god, there is a clear relationship in theology. Those who began languages were not the only ones who could create relationships. Since there is a clear pentiant to see a relaionship between good and god since meideval times, why can’t we declare a relationship on our own, resulting from current Christian theology? If it is legitimate to say in Christian theology, “God IS good” the intransitive verb “is” identifies the subject of the sentence with the object of the sentence.

]]> By: In Vitrio http://blog.oup.com/2009/11/good-god-and-etymology/comment-page-1/#comment-155944 In Vitrio Mon, 28 Dec 2009 23:35:38 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=6209#comment-155944 The very fact that the words for "god" are so different is in itself intriguing - maybe we are dealing with taboo? Neologisms or borrowings or transferred meanings to avoid saying some dread word? The very fact that the words for “god” are so different is in itself intriguing – maybe we are dealing with taboo? Neologisms or borrowings or transferred meanings to avoid saying some dread word?

]]> By: Monthly Gleanings: November 2009 | Everyone Read It! http://blog.oup.com/2009/11/good-god-and-etymology/comment-page-1/#comment-155205 Monthly Gleanings: November 2009 | Everyone Read It! Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:07:00 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=6209#comment-155205 [...] stages in the history of the Indian religion, there is nothing “primitive” about them. In my post, I referred to the animistic period in the development of human beliefs, when every rivulet, every [...] [...] stages in the history of the Indian religion, there is nothing “primitive” about them. In my post, I referred to the animistic period in the development of human beliefs, when every rivulet, every [...]

]]> By: Sharon http://blog.oup.com/2009/11/good-god-and-etymology/comment-page-1/#comment-154797 Sharon Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:20:30 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=6209#comment-154797 Is Slavic "bog" also in "bogatyr" / "bayatur"? (Possibly separately,) is a Slavic language the origin of this root? I'd be grateful for a reference, since the question is somewhat off topic. (I can muddle along in most western European languages, so the reference need not be in English, but sadly, I cannot read any Slavic languages.) Is Slavic “bog” also in “bogatyr” / “bayatur”? (Possibly separately,) is a Slavic language the origin of this root? I’d be grateful for a reference, since the question is somewhat off topic.

(I can muddle along in most western European languages, so the reference need not be in English, but sadly, I cannot read any Slavic languages.)

]]> By: Ian http://blog.oup.com/2009/11/good-god-and-etymology/comment-page-1/#comment-154304 Ian Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:20:56 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=6209#comment-154304 Sanskrit "ghora" is definitely the source as witnessed by the Irish expression "begorrah!" as a euphemism for "by God!" [tongue planted firmly in cheek] Sanskrit “ghora” is definitely the source as witnessed by the Irish expression “begorrah!” as a euphemism for “by God!” [tongue planted firmly in cheek]

]]> By: JimmyThePirate http://blog.oup.com/2009/11/good-god-and-etymology/comment-page-1/#comment-154287 JimmyThePirate Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:46:06 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=6209#comment-154287 In the realm of etymology does the burden of proof lie on the side arguing relation, or the side arguing no relation? In other words, can I conclude that 'good' and 'god' are unrelated simply by noting the lack of demonstrable evidence supporting the opposite conclusion? In the realm of etymology does the burden of proof lie on the side arguing relation, or the side arguing no relation? In other words, can I conclude that ‘good’ and ‘god’ are unrelated simply by noting the lack of demonstrable evidence supporting the opposite conclusion?

]]> By: iron http://blog.oup.com/2009/11/good-god-and-etymology/comment-page-1/#comment-154228 iron Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:07:19 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=6209#comment-154228 I totally agree with you that the concept of God, of one Supreme Being, was alien to polytheistic religions. Now a days Nobody believe in god. I totally agree with you that the concept of God, of one Supreme Being, was alien to polytheistic religions. Now a days Nobody believe in god.

]]> By: svat http://blog.oup.com/2009/11/good-god-and-etymology/comment-page-1/#comment-154224 svat Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:29:22 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=6209#comment-154224 The connection to Sanskrit "ghora" is highly dubious. (The root is "ghora"; when declined it may be written "ghoraḥ", "ghoras" or "ghorar" depending on what words follow it.) The word is unrelated to the other two proposed as possible cognates — hu and hū — and the connection to "god" that you conjecture seems to be based simply on your exoticising imagination about "primitive" cultures. The general attitude towards the gods in early Sanskrit/Vedic times was *not* actually one of fear, so it appears you're guilty of "undisciplined emotion" too! The connection to Sanskrit “ghora” is highly dubious. (The root is “ghora”; when declined it may be written “ghoraḥ”, “ghoras” or “ghorar” depending on what words follow it.) The word is unrelated to the other two proposed as possible cognates — hu and hū — and the connection to “god” that you conjecture seems to be based simply on your exoticising imagination about “primitive” cultures. The general attitude towards the gods in early Sanskrit/Vedic times was *not* actually one of fear, so it appears you’re guilty of “undisciplined emotion” too!

]]> By: Aaron Olson http://blog.oup.com/2009/11/good-god-and-etymology/comment-page-1/#comment-154222 Aaron Olson Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:35:50 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=6209#comment-154222 Dr. Liberman, I've been wondering about the word 'ouster' for a while. I've always thought of it as a description for one who ousts but now know that is incorrect. If you have time, could you comment on this word that has puzzled me for a while now. Thank you very much. Dr. Liberman,
I’ve been wondering about the word ‘ouster’ for a while. I’ve always thought of it as a description for one who ousts but now know that is incorrect. If you have time, could you comment on this word that has puzzled me for a while now. Thank you very much.

]]> By: Tweets that mention Good God and Etymology : OUPblog -- Topsy.com http://blog.oup.com/2009/11/good-god-and-etymology/comment-page-1/#comment-154217 Tweets that mention Good God and Etymology : OUPblog -- Topsy.com Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:43:56 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=6209#comment-154217 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Rebecca, themba and linguistically yours, Art Topic. Art Topic said: Art #Art: Good God and Etymology... http://bit.ly/393wNN [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Rebecca, themba and linguistically yours, Art Topic. Art Topic said: Art #Art: Good God and Etymology… http://bit.ly/393wNN [...]

]]> By: uberVU - social comments http://blog.oup.com/2009/11/good-god-and-etymology/comment-page-1/#comment-154215 uberVU - social comments Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:43:24 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=6209#comment-154215 <strong>Social comments and analytics for this post...</strong> This post was mentioned on Twitter by interests: Oxford Etymologist: Good God and Etymology: Anatoly Liberman discusses the etymologies of "good" and "god" and demon... http://bit.ly/1DVHUG... Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by interests: Oxford Etymologist: Good God and Etymology: Anatoly Liberman discusses the etymologies of “good” and “god” and demon… http://bit.ly/1DVHUG...

]]> By: mollymooly http://blog.oup.com/2009/11/good-god-and-etymology/comment-page-1/#comment-154202 mollymooly Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:04:11 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=6209#comment-154202 I recall reading somewhere that the "Good" in "Good Friday" was originally "God". That is incorrect, but correctly presupposes that "Good" and "God" are themselves distinct; a kind of etymological hypercorrection. I recall reading somewhere that the “Good” in “Good Friday” was originally “God”. That is incorrect, but correctly presupposes that “Good” and “God” are themselves distinct; a kind of etymological hypercorrection.

]]> By: angel http://blog.oup.com/2009/11/good-god-and-etymology/comment-page-1/#comment-154200 angel Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:42:17 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=6209#comment-154200 This may be complicated that the church often explicitly teaches that Good and god are just as related as devil and Evil. (cap switch intended) This may be complicated that the church often explicitly teaches that Good and god are just as related as devil and Evil. (cap switch intended)

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