I’m editing a story on apples and their lore and the writer–who is prone to dropping in completely unsubstantiated statements–said this:
Meaning apple … in which language? I’ve done a cursory search and found theories claiming Celtic, Welsh, and Roman origins for “Avalon,” all with roots in a word for “apple.”
Can anyone who has access to a copy of the OED see what the boys at Oxford have to say about this?
The closest entry in my OED is “avale,” an obsolete word which has various meanings of “to come down.”
Checked the biggy- 13 vol OED. Another possibility is Avale meaning- surprise- valley.
Etymology of place names is difficult. Doubly so when it is a mythical place name such as Avalon.
IIRC most of the Arthur myths were constructed many years after the events. No-one knows if a King Arthur whose character approximates to the myths even existed. Similarly so for Avalon- there is limited evidence of it existence, the earliest reference being in the thirteenth century, thus six or so centuries from the putative existence of Arthur’s court.
The Encyclopedia Mythica’s article on Avalon says
The Encyclopedia Britannica says
From Brewer’s Phrase & Fable
which pretty much agrees with what others have found. I agree with Pjen, etymology of place-names is difficult. IMO, the best chance is to find the earliest quotations possible, and see what the context is. That will hopefully narrow down what languages/cultures to be considering.
many thanks to all