We tend to think of Lent in terms of the liturgical calendar. Whether we're Christian or not, we know that it's the period of abstinence leading up to the celebratory event of the Resurrection at Easter. However, the word lent originally just meant "spring." According to the OED, it probably derives from an Old Teutonic term referring to the lengthening of days at that time of the year. In other words, Lent can be understood to mean "a period of longer daylight." It even sounds a bit like "length" because of that historical connection.
Cool!
Like: "Hey darlin' check out my lent!"
Posted by: MC | March 11, 2008 at 06:37 PM
Lente is the Dutch word for spring. I thought you might like to know that.
Posted by: Tsitsi | March 12, 2008 at 04:31 PM