catchy etymology

Word: Serendipity

Etymology:

• Coined by Horace Walpole in 1754
• Derived from the Persian fairy tale "The Three Princes of Serendip"
• "Serendip" is the old name for Sri Lanka ("dipa" means "island")

Meaning:

• The faculty of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for
• An unexpected and fortunate discovery

Origin:

The fairy tale "The Three Princes of Serendip" tells the story of three princes who possess the ability to make amazing discoveries by accident. They stumble upon hidden treasures, unravel mysteries, and solve problems with their keen observation and luck.

Walpole came across the story in a book by Michele Pio. Impressed by the princes' "accidentally successful" nature, he applied the term "serendipity" to describe similar fortunate discoveries.

Catchy Quote:

"Serendipity is the art of finding things you didn't know you were looking for." - Horace Walpole

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