In my last post, that you all read so very attentively, I am sure, I was telling you about the telling names of Harry Potter. And as you were all very well behaved, I am going to give you this post as a Christmas present. This is going to be about how other things in the Harry Potter series are filled with information and insight. So much excitement!
Sorry, Professor.
SPELLS
Accio: Latin for summon ->summoning charm
Expelliarmus: composition of 'expellere' (Latin for to expel) and arma (Latin for weapons, armour, ammunition) ->disarming spell
Incendio: Latin for burning or set fire to which is exactly what it does. 'Incendio' also means great fire in Spanish.
Alohomora: consists of the words aloha (which is a greeting as well as a farewell, in this case a farewell) and 'mora' which is Latin for delay, drawback, stoppage. Together they say Goodbye, obstacle! And unlock doors or chests.
Stupefy: means to make someone unable to feel or think properly, more precisely to make senseless or dizzy by or as if by a stroke ->stunning spell
Wingardium Leviosa: Wingardium is a combination of the English word 'wing' and the Latin word 'arduus' which means steep. Leviosa could relate to 'leviare' which means to lift in Latin. ->levitation charm
Levicorpus: 'Levi' is Latin for slight, 'corpus' for body. ->spell that lifts people
Liberacorpus: 'Libera' means to free ->counteracts Levicorpus
Diffindo: Latin for split, cleave, put off. ->severing charm
Finite Incantatem: 'Finite' means to end, stop. Incantate could relate to the Latin word 'incantationem' which means incantatem. Together they make stop the incantation ->general counterspell
Lumos: 'Lumen' is Latin for light. 'Luminous' in English means full of shedding light, emitting light. ->wand-lighting charm
Morsmordre: combination of 'mors' (Latin for death) and 'mordere' (Latin for bite). Death-bite? No, Death Eater. This spell conjures the Dark Mark.
The Unforgivable Curses
-Imperio: Latin for command, control ->you gain control over another person's mind, thoughts and actions by casting this spell upon them
-Crucio: Latin for torture
-Avada Kedavra: derives from the Aramaic and vaguely translates to 'let the thing be destroyed' or 'disappear/be lost at this world' ->killing curse that only one person is known to have survived (twice). Also sounds like 'cadaver' which means corps; or Abracadabra.
PLACES
Grimmauld Place: The headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix and also the house Sirius grew up in. Harry later inherited it from him. It is a play on words and sounds like grim, old place which it definitely is.
Knockturn Alley: A shopping area devoted to the Dark Arts, off Diagon Alley in London. Also a play on words as it sound like nocturnally (anything that refers to, is done or occurring at night). It is a very dark, dangerous street indeed.
Privet Drive: Privet is a very common shrub planted as hedges in England, especially in the suburbs. It is often associated with boring, unimaginative people (*cough*). 'Privet' also means prohibtion. (*more coughing*)
Little Whinging: Privet Drive and the Dursley's house is located in Little Whinging. To 'whinge' means to whine or to complain which is one of the Dursley's favourite activities, whether it's about Harry, the neighbours, Harry, motorbikes, or just Harry.
Slytherin: Sounds like slither, something that snakes do. No wonder a snake is in Slytherin's house blazon. Slytherins are also known to be 'sly' people. The founder of Slytherin house and one of the four of Hogwarts was Salazar Slytherin. Salazar was the fascist dictator in Portugal at the same time as Mussolini and Hitler.
Gryffindor: A griffin is a creature of mythology with a lion's body and an eagle's head. Lions are known to be brave and eagles to be wise, noble creatures, all traits of Gryffindor house. (D'or is French for 'of gold' which is one of Gryffindor's colours.) Godric consists of the words 'God' and 'ric' (power, rule, realm). Together they make power of God.
Ravenclaw: Ravens are known to be smart birds, and Ravenclaws are known to be smart students. Rowena is named 'mother of the nation' in Welsh poetry which could link to her being one of the founders of Hogwarts.
Hufflepuff: I could find nothing about Hufflepuff whatsoever.. is that a sign? :(
OTHER THINGS
Peeves: 'to peeve' means to annoy, irritate or cause of annoyance. Nailed it.
Moaning Myrtle: Moaning and complaining is all she ever does. Myrtle is a type of evergreen that is often overlooked because of its plainness.
Nimbus: 'nimble' is light or quick in movement, agile. Perfect qualities for a broomstick.
Firebolt: 'bolt' is a short heavy crossbow arrow; could indicate how this is a very fast broomstick (as it is as fast as a bolt shot from a crossbow).
Fawkes: Possible connection to Guy Fawkes who in 1605 tried to set fire to Parliament. In England, on the 5th of November, Guy Fawkes is burned in effigy. Every year he is 'resurrected' to burn again.
Aragog: Arachnids is a class of 'joint-legged invertebrate animals' (Wikipedia) also known as spiders. Gog or Gogmagog is the name of a legendary giant who according to British folklore was thrown off a cliff during a wrestling match. The words combined form 'giant spider'. Another possible connection could be the Greek word 'agog'(conductor) which would make him the 'conductor of giant spiders'. Disturbing, but yes.Hagrid: 'Grid' is a giantess in Norse mythology known for her bad temper. The prefix 'Ha' could simply stand for half which would make Hagrid - a half-giant.
Fenrir Greyback (werewolf): Fenrir or Fenris is a gigantic and terrible moster in Norse mythology. Can you guess what this monster looks like?
Animagus: A combination of the words animal and magic. An Animagus is a witch or wizard that can deliberately turn into an animal. (I solemnly swear..)
Muggle: comes from English slang, a 'mug' is a fool or somebody who is easily fooled.
I hope you liked your early Christmas present!
Well, yeah, this post.. I've put all my heart and soul in it :(
This is still not everything that could be said about the Harry Potter series, but the in my opinion most important names and places and things (that can be explained) are explained.
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