词源趣谈 | pandemonium 喧闹,大混乱

pandemonium 指喧哗吵闹的状态。英国诗人约翰·弥尔顿在《失乐园》(1667)第1册中创造了该词。弥尔顿用此词作为地狱首府的名称,而所有的邪灵都来到首府参加会议:

  • A solemn Council forthwith to be held At Pandæmonium, the high Capital of Satan and his Peers.
    万魔窟是撒旦和其从众的首府,在那里将立即召开一次庄严的会议。

该词源于希腊语pan-(全部)和daimōn(精灵)。