Kukuruz "cocoon"?

Authors

  • Alex Drace-Francis University of Amsterdam

Abstract

The author proposes a new etymology for kukuruz, in various forms the most common term for ‘maize’ in many east European and Eurasian languages. Kukuruz is presumed to be cognate with Latin cucullus, itself a term of unclear origin, meaning ‘cocoon’, ‘wrapped object’. Semantic and formal parallels with Romanian păpuşoi are also noted.

Published

2025-06-22

How to Cite

Drace-Francis, A. (2025). Kukuruz "cocoon"?. Zeitschrift für Balkanologie, 60(1). Retrieved from https://zeitschrift-fuer-balkanologie.de/index.php/zfb/article/view/704

Issue

Section

Articles