Paradise is the weirdest word

Paradise is the weirdest word. It’s an idea that’s getting lost on the human race. These days paradise is like some kind of advertising accessory, but once upon a time life on earth used to be so terrible that all folks could dream about was a great vacation in the sky. (Ok, we may be getting back there.)

Here’s the biggest surprise though: paradise is an ancient Iranian word for a walled garden — a private place of relaxation. Oh the irony.

The word migrated to ancient Greek, to Latin, to French and then to Middle English. And all the while people were playing broken telephone with paradise until it meant… paradise.

Ultimately English translators from Hebrew thought it would be a great word to describe Eden — and so we’ve learned to love the divine mystery.

The world keeps turning, and the sun keeps burning, as the song goes. The great thing about paradise is that everyone has their own idea of what it really could be, locked deep in their hearts. No trespassing.