GOMEL

There are many theories about the origin of the name Gomel… Blah blah blah. In other words, the city lacks a definitive etymology—Belarusians don’t actually know what "Gomel" means.

That was true—until today.

In Svan, "Gomel" (ღომელ) means "raven." The etymology is straightforward:

• "Gomi" = "millet"

• "Gomeli" = "one who pecks at millet"

Thus, Gomel could originally have referred to a raven pecking at grain.