OK, I had the displeasure of being taught some sections of World History exclusively through French class (in the USA). So, as if the language barrier was enough to struggle with, the lessons from history got swept under my tapestry! So, here goes:
a) Who were the Hugonauts? Recently, I read they were the French Protestants living under Catholic rule under Catholic King Henry IV, who converted from Protestant. But, who were the Hugonauts named for? Victor Hugo? (LOL) ???
b) Along this note, I vaguely recall learning about the Juggernauts. Sounds like a Star Wars spin on the Dark Ages! Who were they, and for whom are they named? Or, was their leader just another Jughead?
Thank goodness for all the Sdopers to help me dust off the ancient history books! …and my ancient brain cells. When they call it gray matter, they weren’t kidding! In fact, it’s all gray!
a) the Huguenots were French Protestants who were persecuted and murdered most notably on the St. Bartholomew’s day massacre in 1572.
Henry VI King of France was a Huguenot before he ascended to the throne and he passed an edict of toleration towards the Huguenots which was rescinded by Louis XIV.
The etymology of the name is unclear.
b) The juggernaut was one of the avatars on the Hindu God Krishna and it means ‘Lord of the World’.
“Juggernaut” is a British corruption of “Jagannathan”, I understand. I think the British took absolute pleasure in altering the names of people, deities, and places they encountered.
It is natural for anyone unfamiliar with a language to change words and names to a form easier to handle. It’s not something worthy of sneering sarcasm. Every language remakes foreign words in one way or another.
Back to the OP – Jagannath is a local god of Puri in the Indian state of Orissa. He is depicted by a massive statue that once a year is transported around the city in a giant chariot. It is said that some who were overtaken by religious fervor would throw themselves into the path of the chariot to be crushed by its massive wheels. Jagannath, thus, became associated with a force that, once in motion, was difficult to stop.
Jagannath, like all local gods in India, became associated with a pan-Hindu deity, in this case, Vishnu.
Yes, it’s reprehensible. And all any of us can hope to do is to keep from repeating their mistakes.
…So I hope that you, for a start, never refer to “Germany” or “China” or “Spain” or… well, who knows how many other place-names, for a start. And then you can start on personal names. I’ll be expecting to see your homework later, m’kay?
To add to CBCD’s correct answer, the leader of the Genevan partisans was Hugues Besancon. The Middle French Huguenot was likely a re-formation of eiguenot and Hugues.
And, the Hindi “Jagannath” comes from Sanskrit. and there are cognates with the Greek.
So, here goes:
???