#47: Serendipity — Invented From a Persian Fairy Tale About a Forgotten Island episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 9, 2026 · 1 MIN

#47: Serendipity — Invented From a Persian Fairy Tale About a Forgotten Island

from The Why of Words

Discover how the word 'serendipity' originated from a Persian fairy tale when English author Horace Walpole invented it in 1754. While most people use it to mean lucky accidents, the real origin story is far more fascinating and literary than we realize.---More from Sticky Note Podcasts:Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | Required Drinking (cocktail history) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips)stickynotepodcasts.com

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The enchanting origin of 'serendipity' from Persian fairy tales to modern English

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#47: Serendipity — Invented From a Persian Fairy Tale About a Forgotten Island

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