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The modern name of this fruit is probably derived from Latin via Old French, but it holds an unsurpassed place in ancient lore. Sacred to a goddess, it was associated with an important footrace and a fateful competition. Eventually, it seems to have given its name, in a certain language, to a fruit that didn't exist in European antiquity but is, today, extremely well known. What is it, and what was that contest?
Question
#69194. Asked by lanfranco. (Aug 02 06 5:30 PM)
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gdec1
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The word apple comes from the Old English word aeppel, which in turn has recognisable cognates in a number of the northern branches of the Indo-European language family. The prevailing theory is that "apple" may be one of the most ancient Indo-European words (*abl-) to come down to English in a recognisable form.
Atalanta, of Greek mythology, raced all her suitors in an attempt to avoid marriage. She outran all but Hippomenes, who defeated her by cunning, not speed. Hippomenes knew that he could not win in a fair race, so he used three golden apples to distract Atalanta. It took all three apples and all of his speed, but Hippomenes was finally successful, winning the race and Atalanta's hand.
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple
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lanfranco
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You are extremely close, gdec, but the "apple" is not the fruit for which I'm looking.
However, Atalanta's footrace should lead you to the answer.
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lanfranco
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You can split the mace between you, because I was really looking for the word "quince," but gdec's information was to the point.
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