Interesting Etymologies: Part 1

Interesting etymologies: Part 1

Two creatures used in the Czech folkolre: Baba Jaga (left) and Jezinka (right)

Although it is not obvious at first glance, these two words are etymologically related. Both originate from the Old Slavic jędza < Proto-Slavic *ędza, *ęga meaning ‘disease’.

The latter name, jezinka, is derived by a suffix from the Old Czech jězě. The connection with jaga is obscured by the fact it underwent the third Slavic palatalization process in which velar consonants [k], [g], [x] became [ts], [(d)z], [s/ ʃ ] after front vowels. Thus, jězě has a [z] where jaga has a [g].

(Source: Jiří Rejzek – Český etymologický slovník)

Jindřiška Jonešová: Fotopasti | Phototraps

nahým a bosým posléze a oblečeným v cárech zlosti ve chvíli čiré beztesknosti zasteskne se nám po něze

then, dressed only in our anger naked, barefoot, penniless in moments of pure longinglessness we will long for something tender

Jan Skácel in Naděje s bukovými křídly (1983)

Leonard Bernstein’s Mass Forum Karlín, 2016 Vojtěch Dyk as the Celebrant

We’ve got quarrels and qualms and such questions, give us answers, not psalms and suggestions, give us peace that we don’t keep on breaking, give us something or we’ll just start taking! Dona nobis, dona nobis.

Jiří Trnka: Sen noci svatojánské (1959) | A Midsummer Night's Dream