• shiny_idea
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      3 months ago

      Equinox… equine ox… a horse-like cow.

      This has been today’s That’s Definitely Where The Word Comes From, No Need To Look It Up.

      • TheWitchofThornbury
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        3 months ago

        Nah, its “equi+nox” = nuts that split in half. Or possibly serves of poison (like in noxious).

        • Force_majeure123
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          3 months ago

          Also wrong. It means Equine (horse) Nox (not) - literal translation: Not Horse (Day). Traditionally this was a day that farmers would let their horses rest, and the humans would perform the laborious tasks normally left to horses. Such as, pulling ploughs, taking hauls from the market home, etc.

          • TheWitchofThornbury
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            3 months ago

            That actually listens. Its (almost) opposite end of the year to Melbourne Cup Day, when horses work harder than usual. So it all balances out. I like this theory.

      • Seagoon_OP
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        3 months ago

        now you bastards have made me look it up

        directly from Medieval Latin equinoxium “equality of night (and day),” from Latin aequinoctium,