Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us  

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#3385 06/08/00 12:41 PM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 218
B
Brandon Offline OP
enthusiast
OP Offline
enthusiast
B
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 218

Please, derive no religious overtones (or undertones) from this query.

I'm looking to confirm an etymology for the Christian holiday Easter. Specifically, are there any Jewish (Aramaic, Semitic, or other Middle East) language connections with the roots of the word "Easter?" My current gives the common Pagan "Eastre" with a deeper note as tot he origin of Eastre lying within the history of "East" (the direction). "East" itself is listed as having Latin, Greek, and Sanskrit origins. Anything further?


#3386 06/08/00 02:43 PM
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
originally, name of pagan vernal [spring time] festival almost coincident in date with paschal [passover] festival of the church... [from Webster's New World Dictionary]
...from prehistoric WGmc name of pagan spring festival, derived from the root of east. [from Webster's Third New International]
...Eástre, a goddess of light or spring [or dawn], in honor of whom a festival was celebrated in April [from Webster's Revised Unabridged, 1913 Edition]

and 'east' itself is as you say. if the festival is "prehistoric", I don't think we'll get much further back. <g>


Moderated by  Jackie 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics13,912
Posts229,271
Members9,179
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
Newest Members
TRIALNERRA, befuddledmind, KILL_YOUR_SUV, Heather_Turey, Standy
9,179 Registered Users
Who's Online Now
1 members (A C Bowden), 285 guests, and 4 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days)
Top Posters
wwh 13,858
Faldage 13,803
Jackie 11,613
tsuwm 10,542
wofahulicodoc 10,502
LukeJavan8 9,915
AnnaStrophic 6,511
Wordwind 6,296
of troy 5,400
Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site. Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.

Home | Today's Word | Yesterday's Word | Subscribe | FAQ | Archives | Search | Feedback
Wordsmith Talk | Wordsmith Chat

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5