[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Niels M�ller) writes: > The word exists in Swedish to, although probably less common than in > Norwegian (the Quisling association was also new to me, but Swedish > world war II history is also quite different from the Norwegian). > > My popular ethymological handbook (V�ra Ord, Norstedts) says that > "hird" means body guard. It comes from old English "hir[e]d", via > Icelandic literature and old Swedish "hir�", where it meant body guard > or other court folks. Also the same word as German "Heirat", wedding.
Ah hah! The OED lists an obsolete English word "hird". It means...get ready... "A household, family; a company of servants or retainers, a retinue; a king's court; also, a monastic household." Last attested use in 1440. It's the same word you found, judging by the etymology. Thomas _______________________________________________ Help-hurd mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/help-hurd
