Musing: Meaning of Pacific

I saw the word “pacific” describing someone in a novel and it gave me pause.  So I looked it up (really wish school had covered this one!)

Pacific means (according to Merriam Webster)

 

  1. a :  tending to lessen conflict :  conciliatory
    b :  rejecting the use of force as an instrument of policy

  2.  a :  having a soothing appearance or effect <mild pacific breezes>
    b :  mild of temper :  peaceable

Apply this to the Pacific Ocean and it’s just hilarious.  The “Peaceful Ocean” or the “Lessening conflict Ocean” – I mean I guess it used to lessen conflict ’cause crossing it was a lifetime sort of experience but…

Today I learned….

 

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