Alternatively, without reference to ancient texts on etymology, it has been suggested that it means "a square tablet strewn with dust", or "drawing-board covered with dust (for the use of mathematics)" (the exact shape of the Latin perhaps reflects the genitive form of the Greek word, "abakos"). While the table strewn with dust definition is popular, some disagree, saying that it is not proven. Greek itself is probably a borrowing of a Northwest Semitic language, perhaps Phoenician, and cognate with the Hebrew word "ʾābāq" (), or “dust” (in post-Biblical sense meaning "sand used as a writing surface").