[HPforGrownups] Re: avada kedavra - a question

[Shunra Shunrata]

No: HPFGUIDX 126473


Tonks_op:

> I think the Kedavra is suppose to be body as in dead body. A
> cadaver. And I think she was doing a take off on the Abrakadabra as
> well.

I would tend to believe that any resemblance to cadavar is accidental.

> Peg:
> 
> I believe (no references at hand) that you're essentially correct--it
> literally means "Let it be destroyed" and was aimed at a disease, not
> a person.  It was originally a healing phrase.

My observation was that the "avada" itself is a change from the "avra"
of the original Aramaic phrase. Avra is creation, Avada is
destruction. I am surprised at JKR's accuracy in the modification.
Maybe I shouldn't be.
 
> Another poster to the thread says that it was used as "abra
> cadabra."  Yes, indeed, it was, but it's a corruption of the
> original "avada kedavra."

In Aramaic "b" and "v" are written with the same letter, and can only
be distinguished if the word has vowel notations. So Avra Kedavra
easily becomes Abracadabra.

> I wouldn't be surprised if, in the next two books, we see Harry
> explaining to his uncle (if noone else) that he *didn't*
> say "abracadabra," he said "Avada Kedavra" and there's no
> relationship between what Muggles think it means and what it means to
> a witch or wizard in the Potterverse.

And do you think Uncle Vernon will be willing to listen? :)

Shunra