Further Exploration of the Factorium

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

What's Behind the Name? - Country Etymologies

The list for today is as follows:

1. Kyrgystan: This word is derived from three words- 'Kyrg' meaning 'Forty', 'Yz' meaning 'Tribes and 'Stan; meaning land, thus the Land Of Forty Tribes.

2. Liberia: This word comes from the Latin 'Liber' meaning 'free'. It is so named because the country was established as a homeland for freed (liberated) African-American slaves.

3. Mozambique: This word comes from the name of the Island of Mozambique, which in turn probably comes from the name of a previous Arab ruler, the sheik Mussa Ben Mbiki.

4. Nauru: The name "Nauru" may derive from the Nauruan word Anáoero, which means "I go to the beach". The German settlers called the island Nawodo or Onawero.

5. Phillippines: The word literally means 'Lands of King Phillip'.

6. Poland: This word literally means 'Land of the Polans' or the territory of the tribe of Polans.

7. Qatar: This word is derived from 'Qatara', believed to refer to the Qatari town of Zubara, an important trading port and town in the region in ancient times.

8. Rwanda: This word comes from the name of the Vanyaruanda people, a word of unknown origin, but probably cognate to the name of Rwanda.

9. Samoa: The islands allegedly derive their name from that of a local chieftain, or from an indigenous word meaning 'place of the moa'.

10. San Marino: This country takes its name from Marinus, a legendary Christian Stonemason and the counrty is called Saint Marinus in Italic.

The last batch of 10 countries is up for tomorrow...

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