Etymology and Terminology
The term 'Nordic countries' is derived indirectly from the local term Norden (used in the continental Scandinavian languages; Danish, Norwegian and Swedish), which literally means "The North(ern lands)".
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines "Nordic" as an adjective dated to 1898 with the meaning "of or relating to the Germanic peoples of northern Europe and especially of Scandinavia" or "of or relating to a group or physical type of the Caucasian race characterized by tall stature, long head, light skin and hair, and blue eyes".
Read more about this topic: Nordic Countries
Famous quotes containing the word etymology:
“The universal principle of etymology in all languages: words are carried over from bodies and from the properties of bodies to express the things of the mind and spirit. The order of ideas must follow the order of things.”
—Giambattista Vico (1688–1744)