I’m trying to find a useful description of the meaning and etymology of the Greek word “μουσαφίρης” (mousafiris), but so far I haven’t had much luck. Every translation tool and online English-Greek dictionary that knows about the word says it means “guest” or “visitor,” so I feel confident in that much. But searching the dictionaries for guest or visitor in English turn up a lot of other words as well. Google’s Dictionary, for example, offers:
So I’m wondering what specific flavor of meaning might be associated with the word “mousafiris.” Does it have anything to do with the Muses, as the root “μουσα” would seem to suggest?
Any Dopers up on their Greek out there who happen to know?
Well, μουσα in Ancient Greek is “muse,” later “music, song.” Ancient φερω “I bear, bring, present, give.” So perhaps: “bringer of song,” probably in the sense of “entertainment” or else maybe “news.” I’m just guessing: no actual knowledge here! I seem to recall that ε > ι is a regular Ancient to Modern Greek sound change; at any rate there are no φιρ- words in my Anc. Gr. dictionary.
Or not. Seems to be from Arabic, I’d guess by way of Turkish.
Arabic *musafir *: traveller [safara] Alb mysafir, Gre mousafires, Hin musafir, Ind musafir, Per mosafer, Rom musafir, Swa msafiri, Tat mosafir, Tur misafir, Uzb musofir
*Safara * apparently means “travel”: [Sem s-p-r, Mal siefer, Amh *seffere *(encamp)]
So “traveler” would probably be closer to the ancient meaning? I suppose the “Muse” connection is just a happy coincidence as well. Thanks for digging that up!
Well, it should be okay; I’m not trying to write anything in modern Greek. I’m writing a story that makes use of some Greek names and words, and I just wanted to have a better understanding of the etymology and connotations so that I don’t inadvertently create any awkward meanings.
Thanks for your perspective though; that info is very helpful.
