The Earth

[warpig3]

Not sure where to post this so I will try here.

Was just watching an old Horizon programme I had taped, it was about the planets etc, and the thought occured to me 'Why is the Earth called Earth'. All the other planets and stars have such interesting names. I know these were named by man but who decided that this planet should be called Earth and why? The only thing I can come up with is that things grow from the earth and in the earth are their beginnings, and I assume, wrongly or rightly, that man at one time considered our planet to be the centre of everything, the beginning of everything hence Earth. Anyone got any ideas?

Apologies in advance for the stupid question but it is just really bugging me.

Thanks
warpig

[WaldoMcFroog]

Well, 'Earth' is now the accepted term, but it wasn't always. Other religions had different names, normally inspired from their deities; e.g. Greek - Gaia, Norse - Jord, Egyptian - Geb (a rare male interpretation).

Specifically, 'Earth' derives from the Roman God Terra, associated with land and farming and that kind of malarky. Roman goddesses were often apellated 'Mater' hence Mother Earth.

[warpig3]

Thank you Waldo, that makes sense. Still, I find Earth rather boring, think I will start calling it Gaia and see if it catches on!

Cheers
warpig

[heathfield]

'Gaia' is much more than an alternative name for the Earth. The word is coupled with a hypothesis that the planet is a living thing. I hope the name does catch on. Read more here

[Quizmonster]

The modern English word 'earth' simply comes from the Old English 'eorthe' and that word is more or less duplicated in every Germanic/Teutonic language of Europe.
The only suggestion that it is named after anything at all is one that says it might relate to a very ancient word for 'plough', which has obvious 'earthy' connections. However, the evidence for that belief is slim.
It first appeared in English with the meaning 'our planet' in the Anglo-Saxon poem, Beowulf, about a millennium ago.

[warpig3]

Thanks guys, heathfield would have given you four stars but I can't, great link. I am going to go with Gaia as it is definitely appropriate.

Imagine the scenario, I am in an intergalactic wine bar and I meet Dr Who, I ask him were he is from and he says Gallifrey, he asks me where I am from and I say Earth, not terribly exoctic is it? No way am I gonna pull!

Am just being silly now but thank you for your answers, much appreciated.

warpig