In Latin sinister means left (as in the direction), but later it also meant evil or unlucky. That led to the Old French senestre and sinistre, meaning false or unfavorable. Then finally the English sinister meaning malicious.
The etymology for left (especially in reference to handedness) in multiple languages is actually pretty discriminatory.
I’ve heard “a diestra y siniestra” in Spanish which means left and right but it’s Latin and left in Spanish is actually izquierda which doesn’t have clear etymology. Most popular theory is that it comes from Basque language and somehow substituted ‘siniestra’ at some point but it’s contested. It’s mostly agreed it comes from some language that predated Romans and Latin, probably from Pyrenees but no one knows which language that was for sure.
I learned a while ago that the opposite of ambidextrous is ambisinister. The “left” origin of the word sinister gives a bit more context, as if describing someone who had two left hands!
In Latin sinister means left (as in the direction), but later it also meant evil or unlucky. That led to the Old French senestre and sinistre, meaning false or unfavorable. Then finally the English sinister meaning malicious.
The etymology for left (especially in reference to handedness) in multiple languages is actually pretty discriminatory.
I’ve heard “a diestra y siniestra” in Spanish which means left and right but it’s Latin and left in Spanish is actually izquierda which doesn’t have clear etymology. Most popular theory is that it comes from Basque language and somehow substituted ‘siniestra’ at some point but it’s contested. It’s mostly agreed it comes from some language that predated Romans and Latin, probably from Pyrenees but no one knows which language that was for sure.
I know isquierda is left in Portuguese too!
Since I’m a left-handed Native American with tan skin and I’m 6’1", I like telling people that I am a tall, dark, and sinister man.
I bet you’re really a muffin!
I hate to say this, but I’m not sure I follow. What do you mean?
I learned a while ago that the opposite of ambidextrous is ambisinister. The “left” origin of the word sinister gives a bit more context, as if describing someone who had two left hands!