etymology.today
14.01.2025 | see previous words
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"sauna"
Finnish
> DEFINITION:
A traditional Finnish sauna experience, often involving a wooden cabin heated by a stove, where people relax and cleanse themselves by sweating.
> ETYMOLOGY:
- Origin: Finnish, from the word "sauna," meaning a bathhouse or steam bath.
- Historical and Cultural Context: The concept of the sauna dates back over 2,000 years in Finland, where it was initially a place for bathing, socializing, and even childbirth.
- Evolution: Originally, saunas were simple pits dug into the ground, later evolving into wooden structures. The modern sauna often includes electric or wood-burning stoves.
- Modern Relevance: Saunas are popular worldwide for relaxation and health benefits, with variations like infrared saunas gaining popularity.
> FUN_FACT:
In Finland, there are more saunas than cars, with an estimated 2 million saunas for a population of 5.5 million people.
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