Griffin etymology, again

[Jen Faulkner]

On Sat, 17 Mar 2001, Catlady wrote (in HPFGU):

> I think it is Adrienne Mayor who wrote the article from which I have the
> information that the Greek name of Gryphon (origin of Griffin) comes
> from a Greek word means 'grasp' or 'claw' -- I recently said it was
> Greek for 'grabber' because I was trying to be colloquial.

Yes, having given it slightly more thought, 'grups' (Gr. for 'griffin')
is related to a whole bunch of Greek words meaning 'hooked, crooked'.  
A related word can refer to bird talons.  It's not the grasping aspect
as much as the shape, though, that the words emphasize (I don't see any
meaning 'grasp' vel sim.).

(I wouldn't be surprised if Eng. 'grip' wasn't related to these words
with root 'gru_p'...  but I wouldn't be too certain of that, either.  
Now I'm going to have to go to the library on Monday and check
Chantraine (Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue Grecque) and see
whether a PIE root is postulated...)

--jen :)

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