etymology.today
31.08.2025 | see previous words
가
위
"gawi"
Korean
> DEFINITION:
Scissors
> ETYMOLOGY:
Origin: The word '가위' (gawi) originates from Middle Korean '가ᄃᆞᆯ' (gadeul), which referred to cutting tools or devices. The transition from '가ᄃᆞᆯ' to '가위' involved phonetic changes typical of Korean's evolution into its modern form.
Historical and Cultural Context: Scissors have been used in Korea since ancient times, and the term '가위' was first documented in texts from the Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392). They were essential tools in households and crafts.
Evolution: Over time, '가위' maintained its core meaning related to cutting implements. Phonetic shifts from Middle to Modern Korean simplified the pronunciation.
Modern Relevance: Today, '가위' is commonly used in Korea to refer to scissors, and the word is also part of the phrase '가위 바위 보' (gawi bawi bo), the Korean version of the rock-paper-scissors game.
Historical and Cultural Context: Scissors have been used in Korea since ancient times, and the term '가위' was first documented in texts from the Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392). They were essential tools in households and crafts.
Evolution: Over time, '가위' maintained its core meaning related to cutting implements. Phonetic shifts from Middle to Modern Korean simplified the pronunciation.
Modern Relevance: Today, '가위' is commonly used in Korea to refer to scissors, and the word is also part of the phrase '가위 바위 보' (gawi bawi bo), the Korean version of the rock-paper-scissors game.
> FUN_FACT:
In Korean culture, '가위' is also associated with a phenomenon known as '가위눌림' (gawinullim), which describes sleep paralysis. This duality in meaning makes the word particularly intriguing.
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