Although the literal meaning of the word "alu" is generally accepted to be "ale," i.e. "intoxicating beverage," researchers have found it necessary to look deeper into the significance of the term. Earlier proposed etymologies for the word sought a connection with Proto-Germanic * "amulet, taboo" from *alh "protect." Cognates in Germanic dialects would include Old English "ealh" "temple," Gothic "alhs" "temple," and Old Norse "alh" "amulet." Edgar Polomé initially proposed an etymological connection between Germanic "alu" and Hittite "affected by witchcraft," which is in turn connected to Greek "alúõ" "to be beside oneself" and Latvian "aluôt" "to be distraught." This etymology was later proven faulty and subsequently dropped by Polomé, though he continues to suggest that a common semantic denominator connects these words with "alu".