Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 March 1882 — Origin of Names in the Week. [ARTICLE]

Origin of Names in the Week.

In the museum at Berlin, in the hall devoted to northern antiquities, they have their representations of the idols from which the names of the days of the week are derived. From the idol of the Sun comes Sunday. This idol is represented with a face like the sun, holding a burning wheel, with both hands on his breast, signifying his course round the world. The idol of the Moon, from which comes Monday, is habited in a short coat, like a man, but holding the moon in his hands. Tuisco, from which comes Tuesday, was one of the most ancient and popular gods of the Germans, and represented in his garments of skin, according to their peculiar manner of clothing; the third day of the week was dedicated to his worship. Woden, from which comes Wednesday, was a valiant the Saxons. His image was prayed to for victory. Thor, from whence comes Thursday, is seated in a bed, with twelve stars above his head, holding a scepter in his hand. Friga, froqj whence we have Friday, is represented with a drawn sword in his right hand, and a tyow in his left. Seater, from which is Saturday, has the appearance of perfect wretchedness. He carries a pail of water in his rlgh( hand, wherein are fruits and flowers. [Philadelphia Saturday Night.

A few evening ago a little boy was busily engaged at his lessons. His father, one of the leading citizens of Austin, had gone to the lodge, and his mother was busy sewing. The little boy look up and asked: ‘‘Mamma, what does the word ‘pretext’ mean?” “When your father says he has to go to the lodge two or three times a week, that is a pretext to get away from his family.” The boy did not say anything, but next day. when he read out to a whole school his definition of “pretext,” he created d sensation.