3 ms·
The -nik in Kopernik (the unlatinised name) is not related to the Koper-: it makes it a agent noun in Polish (and other Slavic languages), similar to beatnik, r
by adhesive_wombat 5y ago
The -nik in Kopernik (the unlatinised name) is not related to the Koper-: it makes it a agent noun in Polish (and other Slavic languages), similar to beatnik, robotnik and Sputnik. It's basically like "-er".
The Koper- could relate to copper, or dill (says Wikipedia). Then it would be copper-er or dill-er. Maybe his family once coppered pans or ships or made pickles!
- emmelaich 5y agoYes, I found that after and decided not to spoil my fun. The area around Kopernik is rich in minerals including copper so I'm leading towards copperer. Either a copper miner or one who works with copper.
- ajuc 5y agoCopper in Polish is "miedź". If it was borrowed from a foreign language they would use Latin not English (there's almost no English loandwords in Polish at the time) so it would be cuprum. Or they could use German - so Kupfer. In any case the second vowel would be "u". So "Kopernik" name is probably related to the dill plant (koper).