Dave,

It’s a false cognate. What you are seeing here is precisely what I suggested in my earlier note – the “dios” is the genitive form (possessive) form of the word “Zeus,” and begins with delta in modern Greek and in some ancient Greek dialects. The Latin word for god – deus – is derived from the same root as Zeus and has to do with the sky. As noted in an article by Eugene N. Lane in the Bryn Mawr Classical Review “the Indo-European root from which Latin "deus," "divus," etc. come, as well as more specifically Latin "Jovem" and Greek Zeus, have to do with light, daylight, and the heavens.”

On the other hand, “regular Greek word for ‘god,’ theos' is connected with tithêmi.” This verb means “to put in order.” As Lane explains, “Gods put things in order.” I know the words look related – that’s what false cognates do – but they’re not. Fooled me years ago, too, by the way. That’s why etymology can be so tricky, and why basing etymology on mere similarity of sound or structure can yield false results. (If you want to see some really *fine* examples of crappy derivation, just for fun, look at Bernal’s Black Athena).

My favorite false cognate, by the way is the German word “gift”’; don’t give someone one: in German it’s poison.

Lee