Poetry

Question 1

What are the linguistic roots of the term ‘nostalgia’

Answer 1

The word “nostalgia” originates from Ancient Greek, combining “nostos” (meaning “return” or “homecoming”) and “algos” (meaning “pain” or “suffering”).
In the 17th century, Swiss physician Johannes Hofer coined the term to describe the distress experienced by Swiss mercenaries away from home. The term “nostalgia” literally meant “the pain of returning home”.