Тhe Origin of the Letter T

Authors

  • Boris Hlebec University of Belgrade, Serbia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7251/fil1410023h

Abstract

The origin of <T> can be traced back to prehistorical drawings of arrows, and in the later stages to the representation of thunderbolts as sent by a supreme god from the heavens. Etymologies of four Indo-European theonyms and a few common nouns demonstrate a connection between a thunderbolt and an arrow. Actually, through double metonymy the symbol ↑ indicated an arrow, a thunderbolt and the god of thunder as its putative creator. In light of these observations the author proposes a new etymology for vtornik ~ utorak ‘Tuesday’ as ‘Tor’s day’ rather than ‘the second day’.

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Published

2014-12-30

Issue

No. 10 (2014)

Section

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