Slav is from the Slavic languages’ word for glory. Therefore far from being slaves, our Eastern European neighbors are glorious. Now the Greek term for slave is doulos. Try looking for something like that if you’re going slave hunting in Eastern Europe.
Linda
In apparent reference to:
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a920228.html
However, Linda, Unca Cece did not say that the name Slav came from slave. His exact quote was ‘The Slavs, on the other hand, were the regional doormat and their name eventually evolved into “slave.”’
You may take umbrage at his characterization, however, the English word slave did originate from the characterization (as understood in Western Europe) of the Slavic people. Considering that by the 13th century (when the word entered the English language) the Slavs had had a rough 400 years with incursions by the Rus, the Magyars, the Mongols, and the Selyuks, it was not (at that time) totally inappropriate.
Tom~