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cluckindanyesterday at 11:21 AM1 replyview on HN

Huh, so telephone is killer of distance and Persephone is killer of… Persians? Grain? Vegetation?


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staredyesterday at 11:33 AM

You're mixing up phōnē (voice) and phonos (slaughter), but the truth about Persephone is actually more metal.

Her name predates Greek contacts with Persians, so the timeline doesn't fit. Instead, it comes from perthein (to destroy) + phonos, making her the "Bringer of Destruction". With a caveat that the etymology of her name is uncertain: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persephone#Name

I do like "killer of distance" for telephone, though. :)

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