Ferke
Central Franconian edit
Alternative forms edit
- Firke (Kölsch)
Etymology edit
Cognate with Dutch varken. This is generally regarded an original diminutive, in which case we expect Central Franconian *Ferche. However, if the word had been contracted early on, the cluster -rk- would have remained unshifted. Compare German Ferkel, whose -k- has been considered secondary and irregular, but might be due to the same reason. Alternatively, the Ripuarian form could be an unshifted relict (compare söke, etc.).
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
Ferke n (plural Ferke, diminutive Ferkelche)