The modern English word “bear” originally came from a proto-Germanic word meaning one of “brown one” or possibly “wild animal”. There was an actual name for bears, but speaking it was taboo in case it caused a bear to appear, so the euphemism eventually replaced the real name.
When I learned this originally, I was taught that the true name was lost to time, but Wikipedia just says it was “arkto” so whatever.
brisk@aussie.zone 2 days ago
The modern English word “bear” originally came from a proto-Germanic word meaning one of “brown one” or possibly “wild animal”. There was an actual name for bears, but speaking it was taboo in case it caused a bear to appear, so the euphemism eventually replaced the real name.
When I learned this originally, I was taught that the true name was lost to time, but Wikipedia just says it was “arkto” so whatever.
Dogyote@slrpnk.net 2 days ago
Shhhh! Do you want bears? That’s how you get bears. The name was lost, never type it again.