[HPforGrownups] Occam's Razor: WAS A Germanicist Revolts WAS Re: Latin in Harry Potter

[Barb P]

No: HPFGUIDX 42652


jkusalavagemd wrote: I also think that some of the etymological speculation in this thread has been simply brilliant, but there is a far simpler explanation for the naming of the "Avada Kedavra" spell.  If one applies Occam's razor, one accepts that this simple explanation is likely the correct one.  The incantation is but a corruption of the magic words "abra cadabra" that any stage magician would utter to cover his sleight-of-hand.  It is as innately devoid of meaning as is "hocus pocus", simple rhymed nonsense syllables.  What I find clever is JKR's ability to evoke some meaning such as "have the 
cadaver" while maintaining the sound of "abra cadabra".

Haggridd 
You're probably right and you're probably wrong. ;)  The "right" comes from associating Avada Kedavra with abracadabra.  The "wrong" comes from saying that it has no meaning.  If you follow any of these links:
 
http://www.harrypotterfans.net/potterica/origins.html
http://www.theninemuses.net/hp/4.html
http://www.wizardwords.net/
http://potternetlink.tripod.com/name/
 
you'll find that Avada Kedavra is Aramaic for "let the thing be destroyed" or "may the thing be destroyed" and is thought to be an early, uncorrupted version of "abracadabra."  It is merely serendipity that the "Kedavra" portion reminds us strongly of the English word "cadaver," which is Latin in origin.  It is also notable, however, that Aramaic is neither Germanic or a Romance language, but a Semitic language, hinting at an ancient origin for this spell.
 
--Barb 



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