Word of the Day

Sunday September 05, 2010

Cockaigne [kah-KAYN]

noun

(Middle Ages) an imaginary land of luxury and ease.

Soprano Jennifer Larson and baritone Christopher Clayton were appealing as the young lovers in the cantata's third section, "The Court of Love." Clayton also had an amusing turn as the Abbot of Cockaigne in the tavern scene.

"Catherine Reese Newton, Utah Voices sing out heartily in 'Carmina'", The Salt Lake Tribune, Apr 30, 2010
In any case, Tanpinar (1901-1962) has produced a work that, despite its long and (to us) obscure side trips, creates a portrait of a city and a culture -- Istanbul on the eve of World War II -- that seems like the land of Cockaigne, magical and lost. His novel is as much about its setting and colors (the green of an Emerald City) as about the stories and wonderfully eccentric and varied panoply of characters.

Richard Eder, "Epic culture clash; Turkish writer's '40s novel resonates in its first English translation", Los Angeles Times, Mar 1, 2009
It was a strange company and a wondrous voyage. Here were all kinds of men, of all times and countries, pursuing the wildest hopes, the most chimerical desires. One took me aside to request that I would not let it be known, but that he inferred from certain signs we were nearing Utopia. Another whispered gaily in my ear that he thought the water was gradually becoming of a ruby color--the hue of wine; and he had no doubt we should wake in the morning and find ourselves in the land of Cockaigne.

George William Curtis (1824 - 1892) An American writer and public speaker. Prue and I (1856)

Origin of the Word

Cockaigne, approximately 1200, derives from Old French Cocaigne "lubberland," imaginary country, abode of luxury and idleness, of obscure origin, related cake.