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HelpRe: Coraline isn't made up
in reply to a message by Thetxbelle
It was probably made up in the 1950s. Eh?
I really don't think adding -line to a short name counts as "making it up." I mean, that's what happened to Caroline, isn't it? It's more like making a diminutive official.
I really don't think adding -line to a short name counts as "making it up." I mean, that's what happened to Caroline, isn't it? It's more like making a diminutive official.
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I think "-ine" means something like "similar to," "like," or "resembling" in Latin, so I'm thinking they meant it, once upon a time, to mean "resembling Carolus." Though this is just me blabbing with nothing to back it up.
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"Resembling coral" would be more likely, surely? Like crystalline = resembling crystal? But you're probably on to something with your Carolus idea: anyone who wanted a change from Caroline but not too great a change might well find Coraline suitable.
Whatever, I don't much enjoy adjectives as names - Bonnie, etc - so for actual use I'd far rather use or see Coralie.
Whatever, I don't much enjoy adjectives as names - Bonnie, etc - so for actual use I'd far rather use or see Coralie.
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I was talking about Caroline, not Coraline, but yeah, that works for Coraline. :)
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I always just assumed it was a diminutive, like -lein in German? I dunno though
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