Serendipity

Serendipity is a phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for. The term was coined by Horace Walpole in 1754, inspired by a Persian fairy tale, The Three Princes of Serendip. The princes, he told his correspondent, were “always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things which they were not in quest of”.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The word serendipity is derived from Serendip, an old name for Sri Lanka. It was first used by Horace Walpole in a letter he wrote to his friend Horace Mann on January 28, 1754. Walpole formed the word on an old name for Sri Lanka, Serendip. He explained that this name was part of the title of “a silly fairy tale, called The Three Princes of Serendip: as their highnesses travelled, they were always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things which they were not in quest of….”

Definition[edit | edit source]

Serendipity means a "fortunate happenstance" or "pleasant surprise". It was first coined by Horace Walpole in 1754. In a letter he wrote to his friend Horace Mann, Walpole explained an unexpected discovery he had made by reference to a Persian fairy tale, The Three Princes of Serendip. The princes, he told his correspondent, were “always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things which they were not in quest of”.

In popular culture[edit | edit source]

Serendipity has been the subject of many popular novels, movies, and songs. It is often used to describe the phenomenon of stumbling upon something truly wonderful while not actively searching for it. It is a common theme in various fields of study, including sociology, psychology, and science.

References[edit | edit source]

Serendipity Resources
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