Tiger Hunt of Ram Singh II, ink painting, c. 1830-1840, India. The word “tiger” and the animal’s characteristics have inspired a number of phrases, including the “Four Tigers”, “tiger mother” and “paper tiger”. Photo: Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Opinion
Opinion
Language Matters
Year of the Tiger: where does the word ‘tiger’ come from and what might it have in common with Viagra?
- Beyond ancient Greek the etymology of the word ‘tiger’ becomes uncertain, evolving possibly from an Old Iranian source meaning ‘sharp, pointed’
- Another origin could be from the Sanskrit word meaning ‘one who tracks by smell’ which some believe inspired the name of Viagra
Tiger Hunt of Ram Singh II, ink painting, c. 1830-1840, India. The word “tiger” and the animal’s characteristics have inspired a number of phrases, including the “Four Tigers”, “tiger mother” and “paper tiger”. Photo: Universal Images Group via Getty Images
