The Spanish word 'palanca' (meaning 'lever') comes from the Latin word 'palanga', which referred to a wooden roller or trunk used for moving heavy objects. This Latin term was borrowed from Ancient Greek 'phalanx' (φάλαγξ), which also meant a roller or trunk used for moving heavy objects. The evolution from a roller to a lever makes practical sense, as both are simple machines used to move heavy objects with less effort. The meaning became more specific in Spanish, focusing on the lever mechanism rather than the general concept of a roller.

While 'palanca' itself is a relatively common Spanish word, there aren't many simpler or more common Spanish words that share its specific etymology. However, you might encounter related terms like 'apalancar' (to leverage) which is derived from 'palanca'.

The English word 'phalanx' comes from the same Greek root 'φάλαγξ' (phalanx), though it took on a different meaning in English, primarily referring to a military formation or an array of people or things. While the meaning evolved differently in English and Spanish, both words trace back to the Greek concept of a cylindrical object. The English 'plank' is also distantly related, sharing the ancient concept of a long piece of wood, though it developed through a different etymological path.