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Archivesattn. Kassios and Pavlos! KORINNA > kore
KORINNA is usually (as on this site) derived from Greek "kore" (girl, virgin, young woman). Now I am wondering, how this name came into being. Was Kore originally a byname? For a woman with young looks? For an (old? priestly?) virgin? I know it was a (euphemistic?) byname of the goddess Persephone.
"kore" also means "doll", "pupil" (of the eye) and "apple of the eye". The idea is the same as in Latin (pupa > pupilla): I can see a small image of myself in the eye of my vis-Ã -vis. Now "apple of my eye" would be a nice origin for such a name as well, so I would like to know: How early was the vocabulary word "kore" used in that sense?
"kore" also means "doll", "pupil" (of the eye) and "apple of the eye". The idea is the same as in Latin (pupa > pupilla): I can see a small image of myself in the eye of my vis-Ã -vis. Now "apple of my eye" would be a nice origin for such a name as well, so I would like to know: How early was the vocabulary word "kore" used in that sense?
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Hello Dolly and lentil soup
Most of your questions are addressed by Liddell-Scott: http://www.perseus.org/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2359099
As you aptly note, "kore" means girl, maiden, daughter as well as doll. In this respect, Korinna could be the original name for Dolly :)The male couterpart is "kouros". The "apple of the eye" ( also used figuratively to express preciousness)is encountered in several classical tests, as documented above.
Kore as a name is documented by LGPN, as are the related names: Korinna,Korina, Korinno, Korinnis, Koreta and Koresia.
There are quite a few fem. Greek names ending with -inna, as with Korinna. LGPN registers, inter alia, Platinna, Philinna, Tyrinna, Taurinna, Glaucinna, Melinna, Lykinna and Herinna (with an eta).
Your kore-pupa analogy you mention reminded me of another somewhat amusing analogy: the word "lens" is derived from the Latin "lentil" which also gave its name to everyone's favorite edible seed. Similarly, the Greek word for lens is "fakos" whereas for lentils are "fakes".
Most of your questions are addressed by Liddell-Scott: http://www.perseus.org/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2359099
As you aptly note, "kore" means girl, maiden, daughter as well as doll. In this respect, Korinna could be the original name for Dolly :)The male couterpart is "kouros". The "apple of the eye" ( also used figuratively to express preciousness)is encountered in several classical tests, as documented above.
Kore as a name is documented by LGPN, as are the related names: Korinna,Korina, Korinno, Korinnis, Koreta and Koresia.
There are quite a few fem. Greek names ending with -inna, as with Korinna. LGPN registers, inter alia, Platinna, Philinna, Tyrinna, Taurinna, Glaucinna, Melinna, Lykinna and Herinna (with an eta).
Your kore-pupa analogy you mention reminded me of another somewhat amusing analogy: the word "lens" is derived from the Latin "lentil" which also gave its name to everyone's favorite edible seed. Similarly, the Greek word for lens is "fakos" whereas for lentils are "fakes".
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Dolls, lentils, and chickpeas
Thank you, Pavlos, for the Perseus link! This is very interesting, although I would have to dig quite a bit more into it to fully grasp the implications.
But am I mistaken when I come to the following conclusions:
- Kore could originate from the meaning "girl" or "doll" (my grandmother used to call my little sister "Püppi", "little doll")
- "Apple of my eye" could be another possible origin. (less likely, I should think)
Thanks for the other examples of Greek names ending in "-inna". What does the ending mean? Is it a diminutive? Or just an elaboration?
Talking about leguminous plants: Cicero means "chickpea". Not very flattering, but such were the Romans. The German word for chickpea is "Kichererbse" from the same root. But to "kicher" also means to "giggle". But I'm sure, you've heard this before.
Thank you, Pavlos, for the Perseus link! This is very interesting, although I would have to dig quite a bit more into it to fully grasp the implications.
But am I mistaken when I come to the following conclusions:
- Kore could originate from the meaning "girl" or "doll" (my grandmother used to call my little sister "Püppi", "little doll")
- "Apple of my eye" could be another possible origin. (less likely, I should think)
Thanks for the other examples of Greek names ending in "-inna". What does the ending mean? Is it a diminutive? Or just an elaboration?
Talking about leguminous plants: Cicero means "chickpea". Not very flattering, but such were the Romans. The German word for chickpea is "Kichererbse" from the same root. But to "kicher" also means to "giggle". But I'm sure, you've heard this before.
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