etymology.today
31.01.2025 | see previous words
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"serendipity"
English
> DEFINITION:
The occurrence of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.
> ETYMOLOGY:
Origin: The word 'serendipity' was coined by the English writer Horace Walpole in 1754. It is derived from 'Serendip,' an old name for Sri Lanka, based on the Persian fairy tale 'The Three Princes of Serendip,' whose heroes were always making discoveries by accidents and sagacity of things they were not in quest of.
Historical and Cultural Context: The term was created in the 18th century, a time when exploration and discovery were highly valued in Europe. Walpole's invention of the word reflects the era's fascination with the exotic and the unknown.
Evolution: Initially, 'serendipity' was used in literary and scholarly contexts, but over time it has become a popular term in everyday language to describe fortunate coincidences.
Modern Relevance: Today, 'serendipity' is often used in scientific contexts to describe unexpected discoveries, such as penicillin, and in everyday life to describe happy accidents, like meeting a future friend or partner by chance.
Historical and Cultural Context: The term was created in the 18th century, a time when exploration and discovery were highly valued in Europe. Walpole's invention of the word reflects the era's fascination with the exotic and the unknown.
Evolution: Initially, 'serendipity' was used in literary and scholarly contexts, but over time it has become a popular term in everyday language to describe fortunate coincidences.
Modern Relevance: Today, 'serendipity' is often used in scientific contexts to describe unexpected discoveries, such as penicillin, and in everyday life to describe happy accidents, like meeting a future friend or partner by chance.
> FUN_FACT:
The word 'serendipity' is often cited as one of the English language's most difficult words to translate into other languages due to its unique and nuanced meaning.
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