In the story, the three princes are accused of stealing a camel and are sentenced to death. ( Serendip is an old name for modern Sri Lanka.) The word is a reference to The Three Princes of Serendip, an English-language version of an ancient myth. In the letter, Walpole describes finding a book that he needed for his research as serendipity. It was coined by the writer Horace Walpole in a letter to Horace Mann in 1754. Serendipitous is the adjectival form of serendipity, meaning “an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident.” The word serendipity has a surprising origin.
Serendipitous means “come upon or found by accident.” It is also used as a synonym for fortuitous.Įxample: Caoimhe started to explain why she had not completed her homework but was saved by the serendipitous timing of the bell. Well, luckily, you’ve come to the right place! We’ll help you get into the spirit of the holiday with some fun synonyms for lucky. Lucky, which comes from the Middle Dutch luc, means “fortunate.” It’s possible that the word was adopted into English as a gambling term-and you can see how being fortunate would be a big deal if you’re placing a bet!Īs Saint Patrick’s Day rolls around, you might be interested to know other ways you can talk good fortune. The origins of this expression are disputed, and its meaning has likely changed somewhat over time (not least because the Irish were not necessarily a lucky people, historically speaking).Īll this is to say, these days many associate the Irish and the holiday of their patron saint with a whole lotta luck. In fact, you’re probably familiar with the somewhat loaded expression “the luck of the Irish.” This cliché, used primarily in the United States, describes how the Irish are seen to have an almost magical ability to attract good luck. If you’re going to celebrate good ol’ Saint Patrick, make sure you know how to write the holiday correctly. (It’s not clear, exactly, how four-leaf clovers themselves came to be seen as lucky, but it’s a superstition that dates to at least 1846.) This is probably why shamrocks are often mixed up with the lucky four-leaf clover … and in turn, how the Irish became associated with luck. The word shamrock comes from the Irish seamróg, meaning “small clover,” which is a green plant with three leaves. One part of the Saint Patrick’s Day traditions hasn’t changed, though-wearing a shamrock, the national emblem of Ireland.
All around the world, people of all nationalities get into the spirit of the celebration by wearing green, dressing up as leprechauns, and throwing raucous parties. Today, the patron saint of Ireland is fêted somewhat differently.
Over a thousand years ago, Saint Patrick’s Day (March 17) was first celebrated with a large feast.
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