Proto-MSA *mi-ḳraf-at- ‘shoulder blade’ is undoubtedly derived from the verbal root *ḳrp ‘to scratch off,’ preserved in Arb. qrf ‘to peel off the bark of atree’ (LA 9 334) and Gez. ḳarafa ‘to peel off’ (CDG 441, with cognates in other EthS). Indeed, as pointed out by T. M. Johnstone, the shoulder blade is “used as a broom to clean out a pen-cave” (ML 235). For similar “instrumental” designations of this body part cf. Akk. naglabu (CAD N1 119,1464 AHw. 711, Streck 2002:231), Latin scapula (WH II 489‒490), English shoulder blade, Russian лопатка (diminutive from лопата ‘shovel,’ Vasmer II 519). Leslau’s comparison with Tna. gwərbətta ‘rump’ (TED 2262) and Amh. ǯärba ‘back’ (AED 1859) can hardly be accepted. (Kogan 2015:562)