Talk:Carna
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Is the English word "carnal" derived from the name of the nymph whose domain is hinges or the goddess who ruled over the heart? I know which I associate the word more closely with. Is "carnal knowledge" what you learn from peeking in the keyhole? --Calieber 08:37, 11 Oct 2003 (UTC)
- No, carnal knowledge is "knowledge of the flesh". The word "carnal" derives from neither goddess (directly), but from the Latin word caro, meaning "flesh". It's thus cognate with carnivore ("flesh-eater"), carnation ("flesh-colored"), incarnate ("in the flesh"), etc. Thus "carnal desire" is not lusting after keyholes, but lusting after bodily pleasures, and "carnal remains" are what remains of the body, not remains of doorhinges. I like your etymology too, though. -Silence 12:06, 3 March 2006 (UTC)
