you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] [S] 2 points 1 day ago (1 child)

whereas europe means .. wide face xd

Often explained as "broad face," from eurys "wide" (see eury-) + ops "face," literally "eye" (from PIE root *okw- "to see"). But also traditionally linked with Europa, Phoenician princess in Greek mythology. Klein (citing Heinrich Lewy) suggests a possible Semitic origin in Akkad. erebu "to go down, set" (in reference to the sun) which would parallel occident. Another suggestion along those lines is Phoenician 'ereb "evening," hence "west."

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment