[HPforGrownups] Re: Arabella Figg--starting over

[Grace]

No: HPFGUIDX 42651


--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "yr awen" <yrawen at o...> wrote:

>   Richelle:
>    I can't get Potter to translate to "have great power" either.
Can someone tell me the root words used in the other
>   translations?  Thanks!<<<<<<<
>
>   Huh. I haven't heard any of the discussion surrounding the
possible Other Meanings in Harry's last name. There are times when I
want to say that Potter is just... a name, just as 'Harry' is a name
JKR happens to like. Then, of course, I get all speculative and
completely blow it.
>
>   HF.
>

>My Latin is rather rusty, but could it not be from "possum,
>potere...", "I am able?"  I think the second "t" in Potter makes this
>unlikely, but I can see the possible line of reasoning.

>Haggridd


I think that one is pretty straightforward.  "Potter" is a very old name.
That's what you call people who make pottery, and England has a very rich
and old history on potters, the different types of kilns, stoneware,
earthenware, fine china (once they got the secret of high fire pottery from
the Chinese) and crockery.  Clay and glaze recipes are handed down to the
next generation. There are regions of the country that are famous for
certain glazes and the pots they produce.

Grace