March 11, 2012

སྡར་མ།

sdar ma:

A coward in Tibetan is called sdar ma, but why? It may be pointed out that the verb ’dar means “to shiver” or “tremble.” One thus wonders if sdar and ’dar are cognates. If so, sdar ma may be etymologised as “one who shivers or trembles (out of fear).”



3 comments:

  1. For this entry, you have coming to you the reward of a fox hat! Har dee har har.
    Yellow is the color.
    -D

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dear Dan,
    I am looking forward to it! ;) I am, however, more curious about the etymology/origin of Har dee har har.

    D.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think it was invented to sound like a mule or donkey or something like that.
    Some think it's pirate talk.

    ReplyDelete