I just love that word. And I love its origin:
In a letter of January 28, 1754, (author Horace) Walpole says that
"this discovery, indeed, is almost of that kind which I call Serendipity, a very expressive word." Walpole formed the word on an old name for Sri Lanka, Serendip. He explained that this name was part of the title of "a silly fairy tale, called The Three Princes of Serendip: as their highnesses traveled, they were always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things which they were not in quest of...."
"this discovery, indeed, is almost of that kind which I call Serendipity, a very expressive word." Walpole formed the word on an old name for Sri Lanka, Serendip. He explained that this name was part of the title of "a silly fairy tale, called The Three Princes of Serendip: as their highnesses traveled, they were always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things which they were not in quest of...."
It makes me wonder what life would be like it if were not for serendipity. Thanks, Horace!
And to contribute to serendipity - today is the day he died (not really, but I thought it would be fun to say. He actually died 2 March 1797 - a very good year indeed.
Two more pounds gone. Yeah, it's official.
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