ETYMOLOGY OF TETTIX AND CICADA. V 



Cicada. On the other hand, Dr. Murray points out 

 that " clearly the stem is not kmk = cicc, but that there 

 is a certain parallel suggestiveness between «j«a3a and 

 TfTxlya (accusative), though neither consonants nor 

 vowels actually correspond." 



It may be a question whether a chattering voice may 

 have suggested the name Tettix for the so-called tree- 

 cricket; or whether, on the other hand, the insect's 

 name furnished the word tsttu, which represented 

 "father" in the tone of voice in which the younger 

 Greeks persuaded, or perhaps cajoled, their seniors. 

 TfTTa might have been used somewhat in the sense of 

 "daddy," in daddy-longlegs. But tetto, seems to have 

 been used in various ways : — 



"Vox qua benevolentite aut honoi'is causa 

 Junior Senioreni compellat.'"'' 



It is interesting to note how the childish words, 

 "dada," "tata," and "papa" run through the tongues of 

 many nations. Dr. Skeat curiously shows that we have 

 it amplihed in the compound word, "tittle-tattle."! 



It cannot be doubted that the ancient Etrurians 

 were acquainted with Greek art; and, if so, it is hard 

 to think that they never affected any modification of 

 Greek words. But whether Cicada has or has not a 

 connection with Greek, I leave to experts. 



Dr. Moufat gives us the obsolete word, i^iyap, for a 

 Cicada, but however that may be, the last word recalls 

 the modern Cigarra in Spanish, Cicala and Lazenzala 

 in Italian, Cigalle in French, and, according to Moufat, 

 Guituole in Aiabic. 



Although there appears to be no example of the 

 interchange in Latin of the letters "c" and "s," such 

 examples do occur in the Eomance languages, such as 

 " placere " into " plasir," and the like. There can be 

 no connection between the Latin words " sica " (a 

 dagger) and " cicada," as some have hinted ; but when 

 we note the remarkable sword-like ovipositor, sheathed 



'■''■ Vide ' Lexicon Hederico.' 



f Vide Skeat's ' Etymological Dictionary.' 



