Monday Morning Etymology Lesson: iridescence

Today’s word comes from my friend Noelle, and I chose it because the sun is trying to fight through the clouds, and that might mean we get to witness some iridescence.

Iridescence, first used around 1796, from the Greek: Iris, personification of the rainbow, messenger of the gods, wife to Zeyphrus the West Wind (though she’s known to have had an affair or two with Morpheus, see image), daughter of a sea god named, Thaumus and a cloud nymph named Electra. 

In many cultures, rainbows have historically been thought of as signs, a path forward, or a revelation of truth.  To that end, Iris was often shown carrying a pitcher of water from the River Styx, which she used to put those to sleep who would make false oaths.  Added to iris, we have the latin suffix -escent meaning “having a tendency toward.”  Thus, iridescence equates to the quality of an object to have a tendency toward rainbows.