An expression like “das Pruce” evolved to refer to the region’s main evergreen tree (aka Prussian fir) with the preceding word “s” misinterpreted for being part of the word; thus making “spruce.”
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Well I've never heard that explanation before!
That's really interesting. I can believe it. Timber was such a vital part of life at one time.
ReplyDeleteI wonder which tree Prussian Fir was. It may not have been a single species. Timber merchants aren't botanists, and a whole family of trees can produce a similar timber, the same really as far as working it is concerned.