Still others argue that since the word 'zuchi' in old Japanese referred to a snake, as in the word 'mizuchi,' the names of these gods represent serpent gods named 'Ashi-nashi-zuchi' (or a serpent without feet) and 'Te-nashi-zuchi' (a serpent without hands).
古語で蛇を「ミヅチ（御づち）」とするように「ヅチ」は蛇を指すことから、「脚無し蛇」「手無し蛇」という手足を持たない蛇の造形を示した蛇神を示しているとする説