Hi, The etymonline website gives an unknown ultimate origin for "ape" while citing it was used in three IE families (Slavic, Germanic and Celtic). Another website (20kWEB, based on Skeat 1893) states a Greek κῆπος as a cognate that connects all other IE "ape"s to Sanskrit kapi. (Also, there seems to be a Hebrew kof). Skeat's assumption of an IE origin is unlikely, simply because PIE people never shared a habitat with apes. However, could it entered Europe after Persian conquest of Greece or Alexander's conquest of India, same as "tiger" did? If negative, how did Europeans encountered a non-IE language that had "ape" in its vocabulary? Please note that this language should itself be close to monkey's habitat: Spain, Cartage, Egypt?. Thanks.