Knowing more about how words originate (Etymology) is interesting. I always wondered why my granny often called ‘Socks’ as ‘Kaalcheelā’, which literally in Kannada translates to Leg Bags.
Kaal + Cheelā = Kaalcheelā
Leg + Bag = Socks
May be, when Kannadigas saw people (probably Britishers) wearing socks for the first time, they might have felt they wear some kind of woven bags on their feet.
But isn’t it humorous to think – we wear bags on our legs (Leg + Bag)?
Well, I know that bags are worn on the shoulders. BTW, I remember tying up plastic bags on my feet and walking in my childhood, just to make some noise :)
Well, I know that bags are worn on the shoulders. BTW, I remember tying up plastic bags on my feet and walking in my childhood, just to make some noise :)
Similarly, 'Gloves' are called as ‘Kaicheelā’ =
Kai + Cheelā = Kaicheelā
Hand + Bag = Gloves
It’s amazing to know how our perception of things shows up in the words in a language.
It’s amazing to know how our perception of things shows up in the words in a language.
If you have been wondering what’s ‘ā’ that I have been using here -
The dash on top of a vowel indicates that it’s a long vowel.
It means it’s not ‘a’ but ‘aa’.
Just like the 'a' in father is pronounced.
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Just like the 'a' in father is pronounced.
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