Category Archives: HOW?
266.HOW DID DICTIONARIES BEGIN?
What is a dictionary as we know it today? It is a book that lists the words of a language and gives their meanings, usually in alphabetical order. Often there is also information regarding the pronunciation, the
origin of the words, and how they are used. Strangely enough, it took hundreds of years for even the idea of such a book to develop. The first time the word “dictionary” was used it appeared in its Latin form, dictionarius which means “a collection of words.” This was about the year 1225, and it was the title of a manuscript containing Latin words to be memorized. This dictionaries was used only in the classroom in the teaching of Latin.
247.HOW DID WEDDINGS START?
Marriage, as a custom, goes back to the very earliest history of man. It has passed through three stages. The first was marriage by capture. Primitive man simply stole the woman he wanted for his wife.
Then came marriage by contract or purchase. A bride was bought by a man. Finally came the marriage based on mutual love. But even today we still have traces of the first two stages. “Giving the bride away” is a relic of the time when the bride was really sold. The “best man” at weddings today probably goes back to the strong-armed warrior who helped primitive man carry off his captured bride. And the honeymoon itself symbolizes the period during which the bridegroom was forced to hide his captured bride until her kinsmen grew tired of searching for her!
246.HOW DID THE IDEA OF SANTA CLAUS ORIGINATE?
It seems almost a shame to learn the true facts about Santa Claus. We almost hate to discover what’s really behind some tradition we especially enjoy because that might spoil it for us.
Well, knowing about Christmas and Santa Claus shouldn’t spoil anything for you, but only make it more meaningful. Long before Christ was born, people used to celebrate the winter solstice as the birthday of the sun. This time of year was a holiday in many parts of the world before it became the Christmas celebration. That’s why some of the customs and traditions of Christmas go back to pagan times.
