The modern English word “bear” originally came from a proto-Germanic word meaning one of “brown one” or possibly “wild animal”. There was an actual name for bears, but speaking it was taboo in case it caused a bear to appear, so the euphemism eventually replaced the real name.
When I learned this originally, I was taught that the true name was lost to time, but Wikipedia just says it was “arkto” so whatever.
The modern English word “bear” originally came from a proto-Germanic word meaning one of “brown one” or possibly “wild animal”. There was an actual name for bears, but speaking it was taboo in case it caused a bear to appear, so the euphemism eventually replaced the real name.
When I learned this originally, I was taught that the true name was lost to time, but Wikipedia just says it was “arkto” so whatever.
Shhhh! Do you want bears? That’s how you get bears. The name was lost, never type it again.