that's not my fucking name!

[rone]

alfvaen mentioned Czechia and commented:

I don't even know the origin of the spelling "Czech", since Czech itself doesn't seem to spell it that way--it looks more Polish, perhaps.

Of course, the Czechs call it "Česká Republika", but calling them "Ceska" (say Cheska) seems to be out of the question.  Same for India, which the locals call Bharat.  And where did Japan come from, when they call themselves Nippon?  How did Cymru turn into Wales?  These are the things that make my brain itch.

Comments

[ronebofh.livejournal.com]

BAH. *handwave*

[rwx.livejournal.com]

when librarians attack.

[rimrunner.livejournal.com]

Here (http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=Welsh).

[ronebofh.livejournal.com]

I really oughta bookmark that site. Thanks.

[mmcirvin.livejournal.com]

hmm, it looks suspiciously like a generic term meaning "dirty foreigner".

[matrushkaka.livejournal.com]

Thank you for that link. I have wondered about the etymology about many words.

As an aside, tongodeon and I often wonder about the etymology of many ASL signs. Some make sense and some are "why the heck does that sign mean that?!"