Monday Word: Halcyon

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

halcyon [hal-see-uhn ]

adjective:
1. characterized by happiness, great success, and prosperity: golden —often used to describe an idyllic time in the past that is remembered as better than today
2. calm, peaceful
3. prosperous, affluent


Examples:
Classics Illustrated have become pricey nostalgia items for those who grew up in the supposedly halcyon years after World War II.
—Donna Richardson
In those halcyon days of the free trade, the fixed price for carrying a box of tea or bale of tobacco from the coast of Galloway to Edinburgh was fifteen shillings …
—Sir Walter Scott

Origin:

From Latin halcyon from Greek halkyon, meaning "kingfisher"; from hals "the sea" + kuo, "to brood on."

Ancients believed the kingfisher laid its eggs on the surface of the sea and incubated them for two weeks, called "the halcyon days," during whihc, according to tradition, the waves awere always unruffled; hence, the expression halcyon days to describe a serene time.

Kingfisher

Comments

[zenigotchas]

Beautiful bird and to think it doesn't even know its own existence and life cycle led to legends that inspired part of a language.

What is also amazing is how these words can exist decades after the context and understanding grows more and more distant from present day people, but people still remember these words and can enjoy using them.

A reason to keep old words alive and to talk about their history.

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Yes, that was my case. I decided to post it today because of the origins, which were wholly unfamiliar to me. I had heard of the word but previously had no idea of the myth and bird associated with it.

[med_cat]

A great word :) And of course there was Halcion (triazolam)

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Thank you! Yes. It is embedded in our culture, but I never knew the precise origin.

[med_cat]

Yes, the etymology was fascinating, thanks. I never knew that before

[sallymn]

Lovely lovely word....

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Thank you!