每日一字 2

Flu - 中譯: 感冒, 係 influenza 嘅簡稱

字源

1743, borrowed during an outbreak of the disease in Europe, from It. influenza "influenza, epidemic," originally "visitation, influence (of the stars)," from M.L. influentia (see influence). Used in It. for diseases since at least 1504 (cf. influenza di febbre scarlattina "scarlet fever") on notion of astral or occult influence. The 1743 outbreak began in Italy. Often applied since mid-19c. to severe colds.

以前有禽流感，依家有豬流感。
Bird Flu - 禽流感，正式 D 叫 Avian Flu. Avian 係 Aviary 嘅形容詞，字根係拉丁文嘅 Avis. 係希臘文 Aietos 衍生出嚟，解做鷹。
Pig Flu - 豬流感，又或者 Swine Flu. Swine 係嚟自古英語 Swin, 即係豬。咁 Pig 係豬，Swine 又係豬，有乜分別? 原來 Pig 由古英語 Picg 演化出嚟，係小豬，Swin 係成年嘅豬。