Pheme, a famous FÁM (femme)

Posted 07 June 2012 - 11:37 PM

In Greek mythology, Pheme (Greek: Φήμη, Roman equivalent: Fama) was the personification of fame and renown, her favour being notability, her wrath being scandalous rumors. She was a daughter either of Gaia or of Hope, was described as "she who initiates and furthers communication" and had an altar at Athens. A tremendous gossip, Pheme was said to have pried into the affairs of mortals and gods, then repeated what she learned, starting off at first with just a dull whisper, but repeating it louder each time, until everyone knew. In art, she was usually depicted with wings and a trumpet.

In Roman mythology, Fama ("rumor") was described as having multiple tongues, eyes, ears and feathers by Virgil (in Aeneid IV line 180 and following) and other authors. She is also described as living in a home with 1000 windows so she could hear all being said in the world. Virgil wrote that she "had her feet on the ground, and her head in the clouds, making the small seem great and the great seem greater."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pheme

Once more, a name that can simply be explained through OLB-Oldfrisan, which would change the existing etymology (i.c. make it more plausible):

FÁM = lady, sometimes translated as 'priestess' (but the Fryans hated priesthoods).
It was a highly responsible and respected position.
The term is used 143 times.
The French word for woman is derived from it: Femme (Latin: Femina), and of course, Feminism.
It would totally makes sense if the Greek/ Latin Pheme/ Fame would be derived from it.

The following fragment is interesting in this context:

[154/05]
FON ALLE GRÉVA THÉR BIFÁRA HIM WÉRON. N.AS THÉR NIMMAN SÁ BIFÁMED LIK FRISO WÉST. 
[Ottema and Sandbach p.209]
Van alle Graven, die voor hem waren, was er niemand zoo befaamd als Friso geweest.
Of all the counts that preceded him there was none so renowned [famous] as Friso.