Tijdschrift voor Nederlandse Taal- en Letterkunde

F. de Tollenaere

Etymologica: twee woorden met een ‘onbekende’ etymologie, Lawaai en laweit

Abstract -- In the 19th century the Hebrew etymology of Du. lawaai ‘noise’ was generally accepted, until an attempt was made to elucidate it on the basis of French. As lawaai originated as a Jewish word in Amsterdam, there can be no doubt about its Hebrew source. The synonym laweit on the other hand, a familiar word in southern Dutch speech, requires a French origin.

TNTL 121-1 (maart 2005), 83-90