Nestled on a narrow Greek neck of land, the city of Corinth once held a sweet claim to fame: its raisins. These weren’t your average grocery shop fare, though. Back in medieval England, they were known as “raysyn of Curans,” a nod to their Corinthian origin. But over time, laziness (or perhaps practicality) took hold, and the name was shortened to “currants.”
However, the journey didn’t end there. Intriguingly, an “s” appeared onto the end in the 16th century, likely to mimic the pronunciation of the Greek “Corinth.” Yet, this seemingly innocent addition triggered a hilarious linguistic misunderstanding. People assumed the “s” indicated plurality, leading to the invention of the singular “currant.” Talk about an unintended consequence!
Beyond raisins, Corinth left its mark on the English language in other ways. Its prosperity birthed the term “Corinthian,” denoting a wealthy amateur athlete. Conversely, its less savoury reputation as a center of pleasure earned it a slang term for a brothel – a stark contrast to its raisin claim to fame!
So, the next time you reach for a handful of currants, remember their surprising journey: from the sun-drenched vineyards of Corinth to the winding paths of English language evolution. They’re a delicious reminder that even the seemingly mundane can hold fascinating linguistic stories