Affiliation:
1. Faculty of Languages, University of Gdansk, Poland
2. Faculty of Philology, University of Lodz, Poland
3. Faculty of History, University of Gdansk, Poland
Abstract
The paper investigates the etymologies of several species of reptiles, amphibians, and birds whose names draw on the ancient cattle-sucker myths rooted in cultures of Indo-European origin. New or corrected explanations are suggested for a number of animal names, including the Lithuanian žal(k)tỹs 'grass snake', South Slavic *guja 'snake, viper', Hittite akuu̯akuu̯aš 'toad', which seem to confirm a primitive conviction of prehistoric people that some frogs, toads, lizards, snakes, and even birds drink milk and are able to take it directly from udders.
Publisher
University of Saints Cyril and Methodius
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