ETYMOLOGY
101
Interesting words for the week, no? The second is derived
from the name of a Greek lyric poetess, Sappho, who lived
on the isle of Lesbos somewhere around 600 B.C. Sappho was
best known for writing erotic and romantic poems in her own
meter (called Sapphic meter); often,
the themes of these poems dealt with eroticism between women,
and so she developed a reputation for lesbianism. The
word lesbian is derived from the island’s name—lesbios
in Greek means “of Lesbos”—hence, the inhabitants
of Lesbos were called Lesbians. Today, the island’s
name is Lesvos (and hence its inhabitants are Lesvonians,
rather than Lesbians), and is a popular destination for lesbian
couples.
The third word is derived from the name of a famous statue
of Aphrodite, Aphrodite Kallipygos,
which shows the goddess’ well proportioned rear end
(and other things as well). From the Greek “kallos”
(beauty) + “pyge” (buttocks). It is interesting
to note that biologists have discovered a gene in sheep that
causes them to develop unusually large, muscular bottoms,
since the food they eat is converted to muscle instead of
fat. The name of the gene? Aphrodite Kallipygos.
An
English imitation of Sapphic meter, entitled Sapphics
Saw the white implacable Aphrodite,
Saw the hair unbound and the feet unsandalled
Shine as fire of sunset on western waters;
Saw the reluctant…
—Algernon Charles Swinburne
|
ETYMOLOGY
201
Now for some words that are actually related
to the season in which we find ourselves. Ever wonder where
the synonym “yuletide” comes from, and why we
seem to use it interchangeably with “holiday?”
Once again…probably not. But I did, and here’s
why.
“Yule” is derived from the
Old English geol, which in
turn comes from the Old Norse jol.
The last bit is contested, but is perhaps derived from the
Old Norse hjól, or “wheel.”
Yule may be derived from hjól
since the “wheel” of the year (a never-ending
circle that repeats its cycle annually) is at its low point
at the winter solstice (Dec. 21), and thereafter rises to
the summer solstice. Some linguists, however, find this connection
fortuitous. After Christianity converted the winter celebrations
for Christmas, Yule was confined to the 12-day feast of the
Nativity, which begins December 25.
The word holiday finds its roots in
Old English: “halig” (holy) + “dæg”
(day). “Halig” may be connected with the Old High
German word “heil,” which is used as a salutation
and means “salvation,” “health,” and
“happiness.” |
 |
Sappho
A most fitting poem, given our discussion of Sappho:
ANACREONTIC
Old
Poets sing the Dame, to Stone
Converted by Jove’s radiant Son:
How Progne builds her clayey Cell
In Chimneys, where she once did dwell.
For me, (did Fate permit to use,
Whatever Form our Fancies choose)
I’d be my lovely Sylvia’s Glass,
Still to reflect her beauteous Face;
I’d be the pure and limpid Wave,
In which my Fair delights to lave;
I’d be her Garment, still to hide
Her snowy Limbs, with decent Pride;
I’d be the Girdle, to embrace
The gradual Taper of her Waist;
I’d be her Tippet, still to press
The snowy Velvet of her Breast;
But if the rigid Fates denied
Such Ornaments of Grace and Pride,
I’d be her very Shoe, that she
With scornful Tread might Trample me.
— William Dawson (1704-1752)
|
