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[water rat]

I came across these language origin maps on the net:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/fascinating-maps-show-origin-words-135610187.html

Quite enthralling, I think. I downloaded them all into a special folder so I can enjoy them more. Among other interesting facts, notice that many Euro languages that don't use the word apple, or some variant, use a word that must mean Chinese apple, hence they have the word apple anyway although it means an orange. I wonder which language first called an orange a Chinese apple then. (My guess, based on the map and knowledge of their penchant for overseas trade) would be the Dutch, who have the word appel

I've noticed that everywhere I've ever been tea is always called a cognate of tea or a cognate of chai, which are not very different cognates to start with. Here I see there are other unrelated tea words.

I wish there was a map for coffee.

Also interesting is that a lot of what is on these maps goes for non-European languages too. For instance, the Russian/Slavic word for beer, pivo is likely the origin of the Mandarin word 啤酒, pí​jiǔ.

I hope you will share your observations about these maps, and any knowledge you have on this topic.

[adaruby]