What is Lent (anyway)? - Part 1

Lent - Springtime

Lent is a Middle/Old English word that means Springtime, or simply Spring.  It derives from a German word for Spring - which itself derives from a German word for long - since as Spring approaches, the days get longer.

In Latin (the early language of the Church - besides Greek), Lent was called "qudragesima," which basically means forty.  So, in many languages, lent is called by some derivation of forty.  For example, in Spanish, it is called cuaresma, which roughly means forty (cuarenta).

In some languages (usually Slavic languages), Lent is called by a name which refers to fasting.  So in Russian it is called vyeliki post (great fast) or in Czech postní doba (fasting time).

I will have more to say about why it is often called forty in many languages in my next post.  Go to Part 2