View source for Stállu (the origin of the word)

{{Artikkeli
|sivun nimi=Stállu (the origin of the word)
|kieli=englanti
|id=20140610144156
|artikkeliteksti=<P align="justify">In Saami lore there is a mythical creature for which the {{Artikkelilinkki|0102|North Saami}} name is <i>stállu</i>. It was a large, strong, vicious and stupid anthropomorphic creature, a giant that the quick-witted Saamis usually overcame in a fight. Children were threatened with the <i>stállu</i>, which especially when it was dark might steal them and put them in his bag to take them away and eat them up. There are tales about these creatures almost everywhere in the Saami area. In {{Artikkelilinkki|0109|Kildin Saami}} and in some places where {{Artikkelilinkki|0108|Skolt Saami}} is spoken, the bear was also called by thus name.</p>

<P align="justify">It has not been possible to establish the origin of the word <i>stállu</i> with any certainly. The initial consonant group would indicate that the word is a fairly recent acquisition that came into Saami after it broke away from Finnic. Furthermore, most words beginning with consonant clusters are borrowings. However, it should be remembered that even if it is a more recent loan word, the concept that it expresses may be very old and known to the community since ancient times. The previous name has merely been replaced by a newer one.</p>

<P align="justify">It has been suggested that <i>stállu</i> is of Scandinavian origin, and it has been related to the Norwegian word <i>ståle</i> meaning a big, strong man. It has also been considered possible that it is related to the Scandinavian (originally Germanic) word family that is represented by Swedish and Norwegian <i>stål</i> steel . The latter word has been borrowed into Saami in the form stálli.</p>

<P align="justify">Different forms of <i>stállu</i> have been used in a large number of compound words, e.g. in North Saami for the plant names <i>stálobárgge</i> Scottish asphodel (Tofieldia pusilla) (<i>bárgge</i> string, cord ) and in Inari Saami <i>stálunjuvdem</i> reindeer moss (Cladonia pyxidata).</p>
About the mythological of the concept of {{Artikkelilinkki|20140610144154|stállu}}
|kirjoittaja=- Kirsti Aapala KOTUS
|luokat=Mytologi och folklore, Etymology
}}