23-07-2026, 06:35 AM
@ Stolfi
Actually, what you’re showing is a possible clue that it’s an “f.” The “S” in “six” and “so” is written in a single downward stroke. The “f” in “gaf” is drawn downward in a single stroke and then back up again. This stems from the curve that a written “f” is supposed to have.
Unfortunately, this isn’t 100 percent proof, but just a small clue, because this style of writing is sometimes (though less frequently) seen with an “S” as well. It only works here when directly comparing the three “S”s—but given the small sample size, it unfortunately remains uncertain nonetheless.
More important is usually the crossbar, which may also have been suggested by the stroke of the “g”— just a little to short, but that’s just a vague theory. But since “s” isn't written that way at the end of a word, that ‘s’ is also difficult. I'd say it's a tie, with a slight tendency toward “f.”
@ J-Voy
So, in Bavarian/German, there’s a shift from “e” to “a,” but here we’re talking about the diphthong “ei,” and there we also see the shift from “e” to “a” in “ei” and “ai”—that’s how it’s possible. But then omitting the “i” to make it “a” would actually be unusual. Then there’s the missing “L” in “milch”—the vowel could shift to “ü” or even “ö,” but the “l” is significant for distinguishing “milch” from the very common ending “ich” (mich, sich, fraglich, etc.).
So “gasmilch” would require two assumptions in a single word. That actually makes it pretty implausible. (But given how wildly they used to spell things back then, without any rules, anything is possible)
Actually, what you’re showing is a possible clue that it’s an “f.” The “S” in “six” and “so” is written in a single downward stroke. The “f” in “gaf” is drawn downward in a single stroke and then back up again. This stems from the curve that a written “f” is supposed to have.
Unfortunately, this isn’t 100 percent proof, but just a small clue, because this style of writing is sometimes (though less frequently) seen with an “S” as well. It only works here when directly comparing the three “S”s—but given the small sample size, it unfortunately remains uncertain nonetheless.
More important is usually the crossbar, which may also have been suggested by the stroke of the “g”— just a little to short, but that’s just a vague theory. But since “s” isn't written that way at the end of a word, that ‘s’ is also difficult. I'd say it's a tie, with a slight tendency toward “f.”
@ J-Voy
So, in Bavarian/German, there’s a shift from “e” to “a,” but here we’re talking about the diphthong “ei,” and there we also see the shift from “e” to “a” in “ei” and “ai”—that’s how it’s possible. But then omitting the “i” to make it “a” would actually be unusual. Then there’s the missing “L” in “milch”—the vowel could shift to “ü” or even “ö,” but the “l” is significant for distinguishing “milch” from the very common ending “ich” (mich, sich, fraglich, etc.).
So “gasmilch” would require two assumptions in a single word. That actually makes it pretty implausible. (But given how wildly they used to spell things back then, without any rules, anything is possible)