Word Origins: INFLUENZA
Posted: Tue 20 Jan 2015 14:18
Not a French origin but did you know that the word INFLUENZA was coined in the mid 18th century, borrowed from Italian 'influenza' (influence) during an outbreak of the disease which started in Italy and spread around Europe?
'Influencia' in Medieval Latin, based on 'fluere' (to flow), carried the idea of any kind of epidemic or plague, usually blamed on the stars. A variety of diseases at the time (scarlet fever, for example) were referred to as influenzas.
'Influencia' in Medieval Latin, based on 'fluere' (to flow), carried the idea of any kind of epidemic or plague, usually blamed on the stars. A variety of diseases at the time (scarlet fever, for example) were referred to as influenzas.