Abbreviated Names for Weekdays
Introduction
When looking at a calendar, it’s common to see the abbreviated names for weekdays. These abbreviated names make it easier to write dates, but do you know where they come from and how they were created? This article will discuss the history and origin of abbreviated names for weekdays.
History and Origin
The abbreviated names for weekdays have their origins in a variety of sources, including ancient Roman and Norse mythology. The names of the days in many languages are named after gods or planets. For example, in English, Sunday is named after the sun, Monday is named after the moon, Tuesday is named after the Norse god Tyr, Wednesday is named after the Norse god Odin, Thursday is named after the Norse god Thor, Friday is named after the Norse goddess Frigg, and Saturday is named after the planet Saturn.
The abbreviations themselves also have an interesting origin. It is believed that the Latin language is where the modern abbreviated names for weekdays come from. The Latin names for the weekdays are as follows: dies Solis (Sunday), dies Lunae (Monday), dies Martis (Tuesday), dies Mercurii (Wednesday), dies Iovis (Thursday), dies Veneris (Friday), and dies Saturni (Saturday). In order to write these names efficiently, scribes began to abbreviate the names using the first and second letters. For example, Tuesday is derived from dies Martis, so the abbreviation is “Tu” instead of “Tu” because “T” is the first letter of Martis.
Conclusion
In summary, the abbreviated names for weekdays that we use today have a rich history and origin. From ancient mythology to the Latin language, the way we write and name the days of the week has evolved and changed over time. So the next time you glance at your calendar, remember the fascinating history behind the abbreviated names for weekdays.
