Medieval writers invented false etymologies to explain the term Saracen

Evidence

Isidore elsewhere gives a fuller entry for Saracens: “Saracens [Saraceni] are so called, either because they claim to be born from Sarah or because (as the pagans say) they are of Syrian origin, like the Syrigenes [Syriginae]. They live in a vast desert. They are also called the Ishmaelites, as Genesis teaches, because they are from Ishmael. Or [they are called] Cedar from the name of Ishmael’s son. They are also called Hagarens [Agareni] from Hagar. They are, as we said, erroneously called Saracens, because they falsely pride themselves on being descendants of Sarah” (Etymologies, 9:2:57). — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1410 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Isidore elsewhere gives a fuller entry for Saracens: “Saracens [Saraceni] are so called, either because they claim to be born from Sarah or because (as the pagans say) they are of Syrian origin, like the Syrigenes [Syriginae]. They live in a vast desert. They are also called the Ishmaelites, as Genesis teaches, because they are from Ishmael. Or [they are called] Cedar from the name of Ishmael’s son. They are also called Hagarens [Agareni] from Hagar. They are, as we said, erroneously called Saracens, because they falsely pride themselves on being descendants of Sarah” (Etymologies, 9:2:57). — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1410 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Medieval etymologies tied the Saracen name to false claims of Sarah’s descent; Crusade-era writers invented Saracen idolatry to justify their own violence — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 423; Medieval encyclopedists taught that Saracens falsely claimed descent from Sarah — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1410 (+8 more)

Broader Connections

• Medieval etymologies tied the Saracen name to false claims of Sarah’s descent #corroborates (0.95)
• Medieval encyclopedists taught that Saracens falsely claimed descent from Sarah #corroborates (0.95) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1410
• A mere resemblance of names drove medieval scholars to invent false historical connections #corroborates (0.95)
• Medieval etymology falsely linked the name Saracens to Sarah #corroborates (0.95) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1410
• Crusade-era writers invented Saracen idolatry to justify their own violence #complicates (0.90) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 423
• Medieval European epics invented Saracen idolatry to justify crusader violence #complicates (0.90) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 589
• Medieval Christian authors held contradictory views of Saracen religion simultaneously #complicates (0.85) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 723
• Medieval writers kept discredited anti-Muslim stories alongside accurate claims #complicates (0.85) — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 1296
• Medieval writers mostly ignored that shared terms hid different meanings #complicates (0.80)