The bean and the lobe. An image metaphor in λοβός

Abstract

This study delves into the usage of λοβός, mainly referred to the earlobe since Homeric Greek, as well as the various hypotheses regarding its etymology. After demonstrating that the main theories – particularly the one based on the connection with the Germanic *lappan- ‘piece, remnant’ – are not exempt from difficulties in terms of phonetic evolution and semantic development, an alternative hypothesis is put forward. This pertains to the botanical use of λοβός as a ‘pod’, suggesting a conceptual image metaphor based on the formal similarity between both referents. This phenomenon is commonly observed in the Greek anatomical lexicon.