Brigitte Mecha

[Halfstep]

Originally Posted by Hotzenplotz

I'm pretty sure Stern and star have a common Germanic (or even Indo-European) root, but I can understand why Haremlover kind of drowned in contemplating the beautiful sparkling star.

Yes they do, an Indo-European root meaning fixed or rigid.

However, stern has two principal meanings in English. The first is strict or severe, as in a stern teacher; the second is the name for the back of a boat or ship. The OED suggests that the nautical term comes from the Old Norse word for steering, stjórn. Of course, the purpose of steering is to maintain a fixed or straight course, so both modern English meanings ultimately have the same origin.

I hadn't realised that star derives from a root meaning fixed or stationary rather than anything to do with light or shining, which makes Glitzerstern (shining star) make more sense.

I do like days when I learn something. You may now resume admiring harleyhahn's beautiful girl.