TIL the word Alpine originates from the word Alps, meaning "of the Alps"
TIL the word Alpine originates from the word Alps, meaning "of the Alps"
Derived from the Latin word “Alpinus,” it translates to “of the Alps” or “relating to the Alps.” The Alps, a significant European mountain range, serves as the cornerstone for this name’s meaning. The term itself has evolved from the Latin “Alpes,” which throughout history has primarily denoted the high mountain range stretching across eight countries in Europe.
I'm out of the loop, is the word Alpine used to refer to anything that isn't the Alps?
I've always heard it in terms of general mountains. Eg alpine meadow, alpine lake, etc.
I guess that makes sense. I never realized I didn't make that association. Or rather, when I heard "Alpine" I think of "of the alps" but also think of The Alps as just meaning a general mountain, but also the specific mountains. I'm not even from central Europe, so that's an interesting realisation about how my brain is wired.
Colloquially it's used as "like the Alps" as much as "of the Alps."
Alpine sports