Monstrous elks (hirvi & hirviö)

[Nikama]

Hei,

I knew that hirvi is an elk (or moose, to Americans). I was surprised to learn today that hirviö is a monster. Is there an association between the two in the Finnish mind? Do elks look monstrous? I'd say they're a bit odd, but not all that horrible... Or is it just coincidence?

kiitos

[Rip]

Both words seem have old origins and are known (in closely resembling form) in neighboring languages. As far as I have understood probably a coincidence, but impossible to tell really. Word "hirvi" is apparently considered to come from old (Baltic) Prussian language, while root of hirviö not.



http://www.hs.fi/fingerpori/s1349772884656

[Nikama]

Both words seem have old origins and are known (in closely resembling form) in neighboring languages. As far as I have understood probably a coincidence, but impossible to tell really. Word "hirvi" is apparently considered to come from old (Baltic) Prussian language, while root of hirviö not.

Thanks!

http://www.hs.fi/fingerpori/s1349772884656

I don't fully get the title of the book... "Elks of our land in colouring books"?

[Upphew]

I don't fully get the title of the book... "Elks of our land in colouring books"?

Moose bestiary.

edit. fingerpori isn't beginners comic for Finnish learners as it plays a lot with words.

[jahasjahas]

If
kasvi = a plant
kasvio = a herbarium (a book of plants)

Then naturally
hirvi = a moose
hirviö = a book of moose ("Finnish moose, with color illustrations" - "Linnut värikuvina" is a common name for a bird guide.)

[Nikama]

Thanks! ... I actually got 'kuva' and 'kirja' mixed up for some reason.

Found some Fingerpori in English here, maybe those that rely less on puns (or have no words at all).

[jahasjahas]

Yeah. Those have some minor puns (pig; sleeping with; bathing) where the words have the same double meanings in both Finnish and English. But many Fingerpori puns rely on case X of word A looking identical to case Y of word B (or in the moose strip, a word derived from word A looking like word B), which are probably very hard to understand for a language learner.

[Upphew]

Yeah. Those have some minor puns (pig; sleeping with; bathing) where the words have the same double meanings in both Finnish and English. But many Fingerpori puns rely on case X of word A looking identical to case Y of word B (or in the moose strip, a word derived from word A looking like word B), which are probably very hard to understand for a language learner.

They can be hard to get even for natives.