In our esteemed gathering of etymological wizards, we dissect the very essence of language. Today's agenda: the word "quarantine" vs. "quarrel".
Some argue it's the length of time, others the method of containment. But we'll never settle for just a simple definition.
Did you know that "quarantine" comes from the Arabic "al-ḍarina", meaning "a place for 40 days".
Or so we claim. But what if we told you, dear colleagues, that the real reason we're here is to argue?
Quarrel: The Dark Horse of Etymology