Language

Uppernavik, Greenland

Administrative division of Greenland has simple name origins, but they definitely captivate Greenlandic spirit. Until 2017 the island was divided to following territories: Sermersooq (“Much Ice”) Kujalleq (“South”) Qeqqata (“Center”) Qaasuitsup (“Darkness”) After a reform in 2017, the biggest municipality of Qaasuitsup was divided into Avannaata (“Northern”) and Qeqertalik (“The One with Islands”).

Butterfly

How did butterfly get its name? There are multiple theories. In German language old or local names for butterflies are “Molkendieb” (“whey thief”) and “Botterlicker” (“butter licker”). It was believed that many insects, including butterflies, stole milk and butter. Other ancient hypothesis claimed that butterflies were witches temporarily shapeshifted into insects, and it’s the witches who stole the butter.

Handcuffed prisoner

The word “esposas” in Spanish language has two meanings: one is the plural from “wife” (Spanish: esposa), another is “handcuffs”. Is it a joke? No, etymology of both words is the same. “Spondere” in Latin means “to bind”. And that’s what marriage is about: binding two people together. That is also what handcuffs do. They bind two hands together. Top photo: Handcuffed prisoner (Photo credit: Rainerzufall1234 / CC BY-SA 4.0)