White Hmong

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Etymology

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From qav (frog) + an element of uncertain interpretation kaws.

This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.
Particularly: “Generally, kaws means "to gnaw", but this doesn't make too much sense, as toads aren't noted to eat particularly differently compared to frogs. Perhaps a partial calque of Thai คางคก (kaang-kók, toad) or Lao ຄັນຄາກ (khan khāk, id)?”

Pronunciation

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Noun

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qav kaws (classifier: tus)

  1. toad
  2. (colloquial) frog

References

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  • Heimbach, Ernest E. (1979) White Hmong — English Dictionary[1], SEAP Publications, →ISBN, page 79.