Note 134 — Chapter III · THE THREE CAUSES OF CHANGE IN LANGUAGE.
Reading edition
“History of the European Languages,” pp. 31, 32. The following are the significations assigned to these nine rudiments of speech:—
“I. To strike or move with swift, equable, penetrating or sharp effect was Ag! Ag!
If the motion was less sudden, but of the same species, WAG.
If made with force and a great effort, HWAG.
These are varieties of one word, originally used to mark the motion of fire, water, wind, darts.
“II. To strike with a quick, vigorous, impelling force, BAG or BWAG, of which FAG and PAG are softer varieties.
“III. To strike with a harsh, violent, strong blow, DWAG, of which THWAG and TWAG are varieties.
“IV. To move or strike with a quick, tottering, unequal impulse, GWAG or CWAG.
“V. To strike with a pliant slap, LAG and HLAG.
“VI. To press by strong force or impulse so as to condense, bruise, or compel, MAG.
“VII. To strike with a crushing, destroying power, NAG and HNAG.
“VIII. To strike with a strong, rude, sharp, penetrating power, RAG or HRAG.
“IX. To move with a weighty strong impulse, SWAG.”