Surprising Etymology of the Word Maize

[Nativearizonan]

Just when you thought it was safe to consider all historic references to maize as meaning the New World staple plant Zea mays, I found this information.

In English, we attribute the word maize as originating from a Taino word, mahis, recorded in Columbus' diary in 1500.

The Latvian etymology on the word "maize", however, leads back to a proto-Baltic word for barley, miez, and the Old Prussian word for Barley, mayse.

Latvian - Etymology
From Proto-Baltic *maiž-, an ablaut variant of Proto-Baltic *miež- (whence Latvian mieži (“barley”)), from Proto-Indo-European *meyǵ-, probably from the stem *mÄ“- (“to cut; to mow”) modified into *mey-, and with an added element *ǵ (whence Proto-Baltic *ž, whence Latvian z). Cognates include Old Prussian mayse ([maize], “barley”) (misspelled as wayse in the 16th-century source), Old Irish maiz- (“to sow”).

http://www.engyes.com/en/dic-content/maize (scroll down)

So, evidently, it may be possible to come across a reference to a grain called maize, which has nothing at all to do with Indian Corn (Zea Mays).

 

[tenngun]

So many words are like this . Just have no clue where it came from. Your post makes a lot of sense. I am force to think of cracker( braggart) or grog. :idunno:

 

[ohio ramrod]

If I remember correctly (the mind isn't as young as it used to be) grog was the British navy's ration of Rum mixed one part rum to five parts water. The rum was expected to kill any bugs in the water casks. :idunno:

 

[coloradoclyde]

Snowshoe grog was a favorite winter warmer for outdoor activities back in the 70's

 

[Coot]

Grog in the Royal Navy was based on the order of Admiral Vernon to have his men given their rum ration diluted by 3 parts water in order to reduce drunkenness. The admiral's nickname was "old grog" due to his habit of wearing a grosgrain boat cloak & the name "grog" became slang for diluted rum. Lawrence Washington named his plantation Mt Vernon in honor of Admiral Vernon.