Question

Which of the following statements about the origin of the term 'disaster' is correct?

1. The term 'disaster' originates from a Greek word meaning 'great catastrophe'.
2. It comes from the French word 'désastre'.
3. 'Désastre' is a blend of 'dés' (bad) and 'astre' (star).
4. The literal translation of 'désastre' is 'good fortune'.

• A. ഇവയൊന്നുമല്ല
• B. ഒന്ന് മാത്രം
• C. ഒന്നും മൂന്നും
• D. രണ്ടും മൂന്നും

Answer 1

Answer:

D. രണ്ടും മൂന്നും

The term 'disaster' indeed has its roots in the French word 'désastre'. This word is a portmanteau of 'dés,' meaning 'bad,' and 'astre,' meaning 'star.' Therefore, 'désastre' literally translates to 'bad or an evil star.' This etymology reflects an ancient belief that unfortunate events were influenced by celestial bodies or fate, a common way for early civilizations to explain calamities before a scientific understanding of natural phenomena emerged. This celestial link highlights how people once sought explanations for unpredictable and devastating events in forces beyond human control.