> [[kolligan]]. "Gr. σφήξ ‚Wespe‘ und uridg. *(s)bʰeh₁gʰ-". > Article in [[journal-if]]v125#1(2020)p21-32. > [doi](https://doi.org/10.1515/if-2020-002) > [pdf](a/kolligan2020.pdf) ## Abstract > It is argued that Greek σφήξ, σφηκός ‘wasp’ may be derived from the PIE root `*(s)bʰeh₁gʰ-` ‘be irascible; start a fight’. The insect’s belligerent nature has been noted both in European antiquity and in various cultures around the world. The inverse of Grassmann’s Law (e.g. nom.pl. σφῆκες, not *σπῆχες) seems to be regular in paradigms with word-initial σφ-. The form σφάξ in Theocritus may be hyperdoric.