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[79] “μήτ̓ εἴης κτλ.”, in form a wish, really an impassioned way of saying ‘What is the use of your existence?’ So Il.2. 340“ἐν πυρὶ δὴ γενοίατο”=‘might as well be thrown into the fire,’ 6. 164 “τεθναίης” ‘you might as well be dead.’ Cp. also Hdt. vii. 11 “μὴ εἴην ἐκ Δαρείου . . . μὴ τιμωρησάμενος κτλ.”, ‘to what purpose am I the son of Darius, if I do not punish &c.’

βουγάϊε. In Il.13. 824 this word is addressed by Hector to Ajax, and evidently carries with it the notion of stupidity or clumsiness. Here the application is somewhat different; Irus is accused of sheer cowardice. Perhaps there is meant to be a sarcastic allusion to the use in the Iliad: as though Irus claimed to be the Ajax of his class. The meaning ‘braggart’ (L. and S. ) is not especially appropriate in either passage.

As to the derivation, the most hopeful material is the gloss of Hesychius, “γαῖος ὁ ἐργάτης βοῦς καὶ ὁ ἀπόγειος ἄνεμος”. This at least proves that there was a word “γαῖος” (or “γάϊος”), and that “ἄνεμος γ”. was ‘a land breeze,’ “βοῦς γ”. ‘a plough ox.’ Hence “βοῦς γ”. or “βουγάϊος” might mean “ἄνθρωπος παχὺς καὶ ἀναίσθητος” (Eust. ). The notice in Eust. that among the people of Dulichium and Samos “οἱ γαλακτοφαγοῦντες καὶ μηδὲν ἰσχύοντες” were called “βουγάϊοι” may point to the same etymology.

Homer's Odyssey. W. Walter Merry. James Riddell. D. B. Monro. Oxford. Clarendon Press. 1886-1901.

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