What are some (longer) words that appear or are considered false cognates, but which could plausibly be actual cognates?

My favourite example is Hawaiian meli “honey” and Greek meli “honey”. I have even seen a historical linguistics textbook say that’s a coincidence (Trask’s, I think.)

It’s not a coincidence.

The honeybee is not native to Hawaii. Honey is referenced in the New Testament. The New Testament needed to be translated by missionaries into Hawaiian.

…

… From Ancient Greek.

One Comment

• John Cowan says:

  2017-11-04 at 14:22

  Not exactly a cognate, though, proprio sensu.

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