Eldritch is a word that's perhaps not unknown to you, but it definitely fits right into this spooky season because...
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
.... according to Merriam-Webster (online, of course) it means "strange or unnatural especially in a way that inspires fear : WEIRD, EERIE."
How perfect!
As for the background of this weird word, Etymology Online dives right in, noting it dates from about 1500, and is "of uncertain origin," continuing
...apparently somehow from elf (compare Scottish variant elphrish), an explanation OED finds "suitable;" Watkins connects its elements with Old English el- "else, otherwise" (from PIE root *al- "beyond") + rice "realm"...
Merriam-Webster expands a bit, noting the Middle English elfriche means "fairyland," and that the two components of elfriche—elf and riche—come from the Old English "ælf" and "rīce" .... words which meant, literally, "elf kingdom."
Sooo should any little ghosts, elves, or goblins come trick-or-treating at your door next Monday, you can praise them for their eldritch costume choices.
 |
| Image by Biljana Jovanovic from Pixabay |
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment