I just got the best new lilac-scented candle, and I got to thinking about where that word came from. It doesn't seem to have any relation to light, or fire (at least that my plain, English eye can spot) -- so I thought I would do a little poking around and find out where the word candle comes from. Here's what I found:
Definition: can·dle (k
n
dl) n.1.
a. A solid, usually cylindrical mass of tallow, wax, or other fatty substance with an axially embedded wick that is burned to provide light.
b. Something resembling this object in shape or use.
2. Physics
a. Abbr. c An obsolete unit of luminous intensity, originally defined in terms of a wax candle with standard composition and equal to 1.02 candelas. Also called international candle.
(definition from The Free Dictionary.)
The word is from the base "candare", which means to shine.
Candle use dates back to as early at the 4th century B.C. (wow!), but use of the modern "wicked" candle seems to be credited to the ancient Romans.
The word is from the base "candare", which means to shine.
Candle use dates back to as early at the 4th century B.C. (wow!), but use of the modern "wicked" candle seems to be credited to the ancient Romans.
"The earliest people credited with developing the "wicked" candle are the ancient Romans, before 3,000 B.C. They used rolled papyrus and dipped it repeatedly in melted tallow (cattle or sheep fat) or beeswax," according to Devlyn Candles.Fun fact: birthday candles started as a German tradition.
Alles Gute zum Geburtstag (Happy Birthday)!
So now you know! Don't burn the candle at both ends! :)
What is your favorite kind of candle?
So now you know! Don't burn the candle at both ends! :)
What is your favorite kind of candle?
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